Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
With hot summers in Carpinteria, your home systems can go through quite a bit of wear and tear. There’s nothing worse than having your air conditioning go out in the middle of summer. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and shield your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult, as there are dozens of companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and put together a list of the best home warranty companies in Carpinteria for you.
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 offers the best overall home warranty for Carpinteria residents. Choice has been on the market for over 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, Choice is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 home warranty plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also around $3,000 at the maximum.
For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, 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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Carpinteria residents. Select has been on the market for over 11 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, Select is the perfect 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 home warranty plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also around $2,000 at the maximum.
For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, 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 offers the most customizable home warranty for Carpinteria residents. AHS has been on the market for over 26 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, AHS is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 home warranty plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also around $2,500 at the maximum.
For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, 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 offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Carpinteria residents. First American has been on the market for over 39 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, First American is the perfect 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 home warranty plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also around $1,500 at the maximum.
For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive review of First American Home Warranty. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, 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 offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Carpinteria residents. Cinch has been on the market for over 44 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, Cinch is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 home warranty plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also around $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Carpinteria residents. HSC has been on the market for over 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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, HSC is the perfect 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 home warranty plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also around $2,000 at the maximum.
For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, 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 | $7,526 |
| Heating | $5,017 |
| Electrical | $753 |
| Toilets | $627 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,003 |
| Plumbing | $753 |
| Oven | $2,007 |
| Fridge | $753 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Carpinteria homeowners cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides security for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. Newer builds with functional fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, washers, and others. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty companies also offer additional coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. Most home warranty plans require Carpinteria homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some essential home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
There are several key factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty policies vary widely in what they include. Most plans cover AC, heating, electrical, plumbing, and appliances. More robust plans also offer protection for other items such as well pumps, pools, spas, and roof leaks. Focus on companies with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize protection for your home's needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using companies with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty company's reputation can give you insight into things such as repair timeliness, approval rates, contractor quality, and customer service. Browse review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential businesses to ask how many repair specialists they have in Carpinteria and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Wider networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Certain home warranty providers offer extras such as discounts on maintenance, energy-efficient upgrades, and protection for smart home devices. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks help improve your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Home warranty policies are an inexpensive way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Carpinteria hitting an average high of 70℃F, you may find that certain appliances, such as your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can considerably lower out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
In addition to saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the headache of trying to find a qualified technician to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair issues you may experience. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can increase 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.
As for the drawbacks of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to read what each policy covers and excludes in the contract.
Another stipulation is that home warranties usually only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They often won’t cover systems or appliances that have stopped working due to animal infestations, natural disasters, improper maintenance, etc.
A home warranty in Carpinteria 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. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease 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 kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects a home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or oven, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Carpinteria.
A home warranty plan can help real estate agents, home sellers, homebuyers, investors, and homeowners. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different home warranties in Carpinteria include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover your home systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the plan.
Home warranty plans generally provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the one who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Carpinteria is $1,320,930, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
