Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
There are many benefits of owning a home, but as your Agoura Hills home gets older, you may need to factor in the cost of updating your appliances and systems. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and protect your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
The home warranty market is saturated with many providers — all with different price points — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Agoura Hills.
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 Agoura Hills residents. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a home warranty 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 Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Agoura Hills homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our thorough review of Choice Home Warranty. 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty for Agoura Hills residents. The 3 plans from Select are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a home warranty 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 Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Agoura Hills homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our thorough review of Select Home Warranty. 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty for Agoura Hills residents. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a home warranty 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.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Agoura Hills homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our thorough review of American Home Shield. 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
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Agoura Hills residents. The 2 plans from First American are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a home warranty from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty 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.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Agoura Hills homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our thorough review of First American Home Warranty. 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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Agoura Hills residents. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a home warranty 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 Home Services offers 3 plans for Agoura Hills homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,000-$2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our thorough review of Cinch Home Services. 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Agoura Hills residents. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a home warranty 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.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Agoura Hills homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our thorough review of The Home Service Club. 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 | $8,250 |
| Heating | $5,500 |
| Electrical | $825 |
| Toilets | $688 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,100 |
| Plumbing | $825 |
| Oven | $2,200 |
| Fridge | $825 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Agoura Hills homeowners lower the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard both your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, dryers, microwaves, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Agoura Hills homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some key home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover AC, heating, electrical, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also provide protection for other things such as pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for companies with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which gets paid per service call made. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for companies with lower service 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 provider's rating provides insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, claim approval rates, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential providers to learn the number of repair professionals they have in Agoura Hills and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks raise the chance of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device coverage, and reduced maintenance fees. These extras can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Temperatures in Agoura Hills can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is likely to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Agoura Hills, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
In addition to saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can offer you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified contractor to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair problems you may have. Another added benefit of having a home warranty plan is that it can raise your home’s property 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 purchased your home warranty through.
One disadvantage of purchasing a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For example, 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 over any contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another potential pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your claims 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 Agoura Hills can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty helps protect against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your 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 washing machine or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Agoura Hills.
A home warranty plan can help investors, real estate agents, homebuyers, homeowners, and home sellers. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in Agoura Hills include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers your home systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty policy offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. 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 has to pay the service fees. In Agoura Hills, where the median value of a home is $1,174,032, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
