Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
As much as you may love owning a home in Universal City, there's always that fear about whether your appliances and systems are going to need repairs over the next few years. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings account from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and give you some peace of mind.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult, as there are lots of companies to decide between. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and put together a list of the best home warranty companies in Universal City for you.
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
In Universal City, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has been in business for about 6 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. Liberty offers a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Plus, it also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. The 3 plans that Liberty offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also generally around $3,000.
Read more by visiting our Liberty Home Guard full review. To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Universal City, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in business for about 15 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 plans that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also generally around $3,000.
Read more by visiting our Choice Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Universal City, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in business for about 11 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, it also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The 3 plans that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also generally around $2,000.
Read more by visiting our Select Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Universal City, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in business for about 26 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 plans that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also generally around $2,500.
Read more by visiting our American Home Shield full review. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Universal City, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in business for about 39 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, it also 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 2 plans that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also generally around $1,500.
Read more by visiting our First American Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Universal City, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in business for about 44 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 plans that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners 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 generally around $1,000-$2,000.
Read more by visiting our Cinch Home Services full review. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Universal City, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in business for about 15 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, 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 that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners 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 generally around $2,000.
Read more by visiting our The Home Service Club full review. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $6,185 |
| Heating | $4,123 |
| Electrical | $619 |
| Toilets | $515 |
| Washer/Dryer | $825 |
| Plumbing | $619 |
| Oven | $1,649 |
| Fridge | $619 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Universal City homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to replace or repair appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and modern appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include refrigerators, microwaves, washers, dishwashers, dryers, garbage disposals, and more. Covered systems are normally air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, locksmiths, and central vacuums. Universal City homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only help pay for repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty plans differ significantly in terms of coverage. Most plans provide protection for AC, plumbing, heating, electrical, and appliances. More robust plans also extend protection to other items such as pools, well pumps, spas, and roof leaks. Look for companies with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which gets paid per claim you submit. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for companies with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's rating provides insight into things such as claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Complimentary ratings and reviews indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential companies to learn the number of repair technicians they have in Universal City and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Larger networks increase the chance of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty providers include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device coverage. These extras can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Universal City can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Having a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working all of a sudden.
Not only does a home warranty offer some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a repair person and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another benefit of having a home warranty is while selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty to the new owners. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One downside of signing up for a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For instance, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read through any contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Plus, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Universal City can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies 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 the entire home from natural disasters, which can be a concern in Universal City. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
Homebuyers, real estate agents, landlords, homeowners, and home sellers are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty plan can cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying 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 given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Universal City, where the median home value is $300,543, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
