Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
The cost of maintaining a home in Brea can be expensive, particularly as your home ages and your systems and appliances have to be repaired or replaced. A home warranty in Brea can help bring down your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
The home warranty market has 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 Brea.
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 Brea residents. Choice has been in business for over 15 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. The 2 home warranty plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also about $3,000.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 Brea residents. Select has been in business for over 11 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. The 3 home warranty plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also about $2,000.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 Brea residents. AHS has been in business for over 26 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. The 3 home warranty plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also about $2,500.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 Brea residents. First American has been in business for over 39 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. The 2 home warranty plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. 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 from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also about $1,500.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 Brea residents. Cinch has been in business for over 44 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. The 3 home warranty plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also about $1,000-$2,000.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 Brea residents. HSC has been in business for over 15 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. The 2 home warranty plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also about $2,000.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 | $7,701 |
| Heating | $5,134 |
| Electrical | $770 |
| Toilets | $642 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,027 |
| Plumbing | $770 |
| Oven | $2,054 |
| Fridge | $770 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps cut costs for Brea homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind since it can help avoid expensive 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 are washers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dryers, microwaves, dishwashers, and more. Protected systems include air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty plans offer extra coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and even locksmiths. It's important for Brea homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or improper use of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to know before signing a contract, such as:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans include protection for heating, plumbing, electrical, AC, and appliances. More robust coverage options also offer coverage on other items such as well pumps, spas, pools, 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.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, so some homeowners prefer using providers with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, repair speed, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about providers. Favorable feedback and ratings suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. More extensive networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to your home swiftly. Contact possible providers to find out how many contractors they have in Brea to understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Home warranty companies may include bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and coverage for smart home devices. These extras add value beyond repair coverage. Additional perks can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Brea’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can help cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event 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 necessary repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
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 contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Plus, though it varies by company, some providers will let you transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
There are also some downsides to purchasing a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
In addition, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs 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 Brea can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also reduce your up-front costs when you agree to 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 systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Brea.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, home sellers, and real estate agents are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Brea include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover almost all your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the plan.
Home warranty plans generally offer coverage for 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 purchase a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Brea is $1,010,647, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
