Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Owning a home in Costa Mesa has tons of great advantages, 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 is a way to protect your savings from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be time-consuming, as there are lots of companies to decide between. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and made a list of the best home warranty companies in Costa Mesa 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 is the best overall home warranty for Costa Mesa residents. Choice has been operating for over 15 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty for Costa Mesa residents. Select has been operating for over 11 years, making it a highly 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, 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 home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty 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 some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty for Costa Mesa residents. AHS has been operating for over 26 years, making it a highly 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, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our 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
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Costa Mesa residents. First American has been operating for over 39 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To get 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 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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Costa Mesa residents. Cinch has been operating for over 44 years, making it a highly 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, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services 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 some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Costa Mesa residents. HSC has been operating for over 15 years, making it a highly 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, 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 home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To get 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 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 | $7,383 |
| Heating | $4,922 |
| Electrical | $738 |
| Toilets | $615 |
| Washer/Dryer | $984 |
| Plumbing | $738 |
| Oven | $1,969 |
| Fridge | $738 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps reduce the high costs for Costa Mesa homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds 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 policy gives homeowners a sense of security because it can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing 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 require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect many home systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include dryers, washers, dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, refrigerators, and others. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for roof leaks, septic systems, central vacuums, and even locksmiths. It's important for Costa Mesa homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or improper use of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.
There are multiple home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty plans vary widely in what they include. Most plans provide protection for heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More robust plans also extend protection to other items such as roof leaks, spas, well pumps, and pools. Look for companies with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to your home's 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 per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for providers 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 company's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, contractor quality, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks raise the chance of getting qualified contractors to your home promptly. Contact possible providers to find out how many repair professionals they have in Costa Mesa to understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Home warranty companies may offer perks such as maintenance discounts, coverage for smart home devices, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Home warranty policies are an inexpensive way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Costa Mesa reaching an average high of 70℃F, you may find that some appliances, such as your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can considerably lower out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system break down.
Plus, having a home warranty can save you some time by removing the need to research repair people — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the necessary repair or replacement. Additionally, having a home warranty can help make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been benefiting from.
One disadvantage of purchasing a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For example, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read through any contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about this if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty in Costa Mesa can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans typically have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds 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 larger plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Costa Mesa. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty policy can help home sellers, homebuyers, investors, homeowners, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different home warranties in Costa Mesa include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers almost all your systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty policy offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying 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 when using the policy. In Costa Mesa, where the median home value is $1,198,472, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
