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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Alameda offers homeowners some beautiful housing options. However, unexpected repair and replacement costs on your home’s systems and appliances can get quite expensive. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and give you some peace of mind.
The home warranty market is filled with a lot of providers — all with different price points — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Alameda.
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 Alameda, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. The 2 plans from Choice are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a policy 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $3,000 for each covered system or appliance.
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 comprehensive 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
In Alameda, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. The 3 plans from Select are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a policy 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
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 comprehensive 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
In Alameda, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. The 3 plans from AHS are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a policy 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. 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 system or appliance.
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 comprehensive review of American Home Shield.
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 Alameda, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. The 2 plans from First American are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a policy 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,500 for each covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. To read more, visit our comprehensive review of First American Home Warranty.
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 Alameda, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. The 3 plans from Cinch are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a policy 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. 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 system or appliance.
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 comprehensive 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
In Alameda, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. The 2 plans from HSC are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a policy 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. 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 system or appliance.
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 comprehensive 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 | $7,445 |
Heating | $4,963 |
Electrical | $745 |
Toilets | $620 |
Washer/Dryer | $993 |
Plumbing | $745 |
Oven | $1,985 |
Fridge | $745 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Alameda homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear. When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include refrigerators, garbage disposals, washers, microwaves, dryers, dishwashers, and more. Included systems are normally air conditioning, electrical, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. It's important for Alameda homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are several home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty policies differ significantly in terms of coverage. Most plans provide protection for electrical, AC, heating, plumbing, 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. Flexibility helps you 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 on every claim. Some companies also eliminate deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty company's reputation can give you insight into things such as approval rates, contractor quality, repair timeliness, and customer service. Use review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Alameda to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as smart home device coverage, reduced maintenance fees, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Temperatures in Alameda can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is likely to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in Alameda, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they need to be repaired or replaced.
Not only does a home warranty offer some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, 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. Additionally, having a home warranty can make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been getting.
Home warranties also have some downsides. Although it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a contractor who does the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they may want to select a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty plans let you select a contractor.
Plus, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they were damaged due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Alameda can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also decrease your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues with 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 your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Alameda. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty plan can help real estate agents, investors, home sellers, homeowners, and homebuyers. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in Alameda include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers almost all your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans generally offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying 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 when using the policy. In Alameda, where the median value of a home is $1,192,100, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.