Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in Desert Hot Springs has lots of perks, but it also comes with its challenges. Your home’s appliances and systems will eventually need repairs, and this could mean a burdensome expense. A home warranty policy can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by cutting the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the right protection for your home can be time-consuming, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Desert Hot Springs. Read on for our recommendations.
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 Desert Hot Springs residents. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Desert Hot Springs area.
Read our review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Desert Hot Springs residents. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, it also 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Desert Hot Springs area.
Read our review of Select Home Warranty to learn more. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Desert Hot Springs residents. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Desert Hot Springs area.
Read our review of American Home Shield to learn more. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Desert Hot Springs residents. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, 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 home warranty plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the Desert Hot Springs area.
Read our review of First American Home Warranty to learn more. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Desert Hot Springs residents. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Desert Hot Springs area.
Read our review of Cinch Home Services to learn more. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Desert Hot Springs residents. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, 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 home warranty plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Desert Hot Springs area.
Read our review of The Home Service Club to learn more. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $6,167 |
Heating | $4,111 |
Electrical | $617 |
Toilets | $514 |
Washer/Dryer | $822 |
Plumbing | $617 |
Oven | $1,644 |
Fridge | $617 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Desert Hot Springs homeowners lower the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to fix 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 goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are especially useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, washers, garbage disposals, microwaves, and more. Covered systems include heating, electrical, air conditioning, and plumbing. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. It's important for Desert Hot Springs homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, 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 will be covered by the policy.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to know before signing, such as:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic plans typically cover plumbing, AC, heating, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Look for a company that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific systems and needs.
You'll pay a standard service fee of around $60 to $100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may look for providers 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 provides insight into things such as approval rates, repair timeliness, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Check review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty providers have networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Larger networks raise the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Desert Hot Springs to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty plans provide extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device protection, and maintenance discounts. These perks add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in Desert Hot Springs can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is likely to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Desert Hot Springs, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they have to be repaired or replaced.
Not only does a home warranty offer some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Plus, having a home warranty can help make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been getting.
Home warranties also have some downsides. Though it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a repair person who handles the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they may want to select a contractor themselves. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty companies allow you to choose a contractor.
Another thing to bear in mind 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 it if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty in Desert Hot Springs can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay 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 covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects a home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Desert Hot Springs.
Homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, real estate agents, and home sellers are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty policy can cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Desert Hot Springs, where the median home value is $372,962, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.