Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Owning a home in East Palo Alto has many 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 in East Palo Alto can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best protection for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the top home warranty companies in East Palo Alto. 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 East Palo Alto residents. 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 home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for East Palo Alto homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. 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 company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive 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 East Palo Alto residents. 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 home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for East Palo Alto homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. 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 company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of Select Home Warranty. To receive 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 East Palo Alto residents. 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 home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for East Palo Alto homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. 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 company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of American Home Shield. To receive 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 East Palo Alto residents. 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 home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for East Palo Alto homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. 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 company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of First American Home Warranty. To receive 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 East Palo Alto residents. 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 home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for East Palo Alto homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. 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 company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of Cinch Home Services. To receive 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 East Palo Alto residents. 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 home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for East Palo Alto homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. 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 company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of The Home Service Club. To receive 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 | $7,784 |
| Heating | $5,189 |
| Electrical | $778 |
| Toilets | $649 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,038 |
| Plumbing | $778 |
| Oven | $2,076 |
| Fridge | $778 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps East Palo Alto homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear. When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern builds with working fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are microwaves, dryers, washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, garbage disposals, and more. Covered systems are normally air conditioning, electrical, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. East Palo Alto 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 address repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, 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.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to learn 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, although most plans provide coverage for plumbing, AC, heating, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also provide protection for other things such as pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for companies with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some companies also do away with deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, claim approval rates, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about companies. Positive ratings and feedback suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential companies to ask how many repair professionals they have in East Palo Alto and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty plans include bonuses such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device protection. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in East Palo Alto can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Getting a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks all of a sudden.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of having to vet service technicians by yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. In addition, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to 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.
One of the main drawbacks of home warranties is not everything you care about may be covered. It’s important to research the different policies and get one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another consideration is that home warranties usually only cover malfunctions due to normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover home systems or appliances that have been damaged due to natural disasters, animal infestations, improper maintenance, etc.
A home warranty costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in East Palo Alto. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's usually less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in East Palo Alto.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, home sellers, real estate agents, and landlords can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty plan can cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you need 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.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In East Palo Alto, where the median home value is $958,906, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
