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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
With hot summers in Downey, 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 policy can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by lowering the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the best protection for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Downey. Read on for our home warranty 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 Downey residents. Choice has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage limits from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Downey area.
Read more by visiting our full review of Choice Home Warranty. 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 Downey residents. Select has more than 11 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage limits from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Downey area.
Read more by visiting our full review of Select Home Warranty. 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 Downey residents. AHS has more than 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage limits from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Downey area.
Read more by visiting our full review of American Home Shield. 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 Downey residents. First American has more than 39 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage limits from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Downey area.
Read more by visiting our full review of First American Home Warranty. 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 Downey residents. Cinch has more than 44 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage limits from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Downey area.
Read more by visiting our full review of Cinch Home Services. 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 Downey residents. HSC has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage limits from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Downey area.
Read more by visiting our full review of The Home Service Club. 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 | $6,932 |
Heating | $4,621 |
Electrical | $693 |
Toilets | $578 |
Washer/Dryer | $924 |
Plumbing | $693 |
Oven | $1,849 |
Fridge | $693 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Downey homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial protection to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working from 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 repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind because it can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, microwaves, washers, and more. Protected systems include electrical, heating, air conditioning, and plumbing. Many home warranty plans offer additional coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Downey homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only help pay for repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are several home warranty terms to know 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 coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans provide coverage for AC, electrical, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also offer coverage on other items such as roof leaks, well pumps, spas, and pools. Look for a provider that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which is paid per repair request filed. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Wider networks raise the probability of getting qualified technicians to promptly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Downey to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as smart home device coverage, energy efficiency upgrades, and reduced maintenance fees. These extras can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Downey’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty will cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, saving you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and choosing a technician to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Plus, though home warranty companies vary, 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.
As for the drawbacks of home warranties, coverage varies by company, so it’s important to read what each policy covers and excludes in the contract.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing damage 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 costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Downey. Our high-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's usually cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems with home systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of insurance that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Downey. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty plan can help real estate agents, home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, and investors. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty plan can cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans generally last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, 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 given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Downey, where the median home value is $801,384, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.