Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Owning a home in Avenal has a lot of great benefits, but there are some downsides. Hot summers can cause problems in a home and lead to wear and tear on systems like your HVAC. A home warranty can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by reducing the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
The home warranty market has a variety of providers — all with different offerings — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Avenal.
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 Avenal residents. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 plans from Choice are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners 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 be sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our Choice Home Warranty full review.
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 Avenal residents. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The 3 plans from Select are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners 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 be sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our Select Home Warranty full review.
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 Avenal residents. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners 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 be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our American Home Shield full review.
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 Avenal residents. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, this is the provider for you. Plus, it 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 from First American are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. To read more, visit our First American Home Warranty full review.
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 Avenal residents. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 plans from Cinch are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners 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 be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our Cinch Home Services full review.
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 Avenal residents. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, this is the provider for you. Plus, it 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 HSC are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners 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 be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our The Home Service Club full review.
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 | $6,053 |
| Heating | $4,035 |
| Electrical | $605 |
| Toilets | $504 |
| Washer/Dryer | $807 |
| Plumbing | $605 |
| Oven | $1,614 |
| Fridge | $605 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Avenal homeowners in reducing the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty policy gives homeowners peace of mind because it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with systems 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 protect your home's systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dishwashers, garbage disposals, dryers, washers, microwaves, refrigerators, and others. Protected systems include heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans offer extra coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Avenal homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or improper use of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
There are several key factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans cover plumbing, electrical, AC, heating, and appliances. More robust coverage options also cover other items such as spas, roof leaks, well pumps, and pools. Look for providers with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your home's needs.
You'll pay a standard service fee of around $60 to $100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may seek out companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may waive deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the probability of getting skilled contractors to your home promptly. Reach out to possible providers to ask how many contractors they have in Avenal to understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Certain home warranty providers include extras such as discounts on maintenance, protection for smart home devices, and energy-efficient upgrades. These bonuses can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks help improve your home and maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Avenal can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Buying a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks unexpectedly.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of vetting contractors yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. A home warranty can also offer value in other ways. For example, some policies can be transferred between owners during a home sale.
One of the main drawbacks of a home warranty is not everything may be covered. It’s important to compare the different plans and choose one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before your coverage can begin. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about it if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty in Avenal can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also reduce 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 types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your entire home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or oven, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Avenal.
A home warranty can help homebuyers, homeowners, home sellers, real estate agents, and investors. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different home warranties in Avenal include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans typically last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Avenal is $227,798, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
