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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Although homeownership in El Cajon has a lot of benefits — such as the convenience of city life — there are also not so glamorous sides. One major hassle many homeowners have to deal with inevitably is replacing or repairing their home systems and appliances. A home warranty can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by lowering the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
Finding the right protection for your home can be difficult, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in El Cajon. 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
In El Cajon, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. 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 plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also typically around $3,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Choice Home Warranty full review.
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
In El Cajon, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. 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 plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also typically around $2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Select Home Warranty full review.
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
In El Cajon, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. 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 plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also typically around $2,500 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our American Home Shield full review.
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
In El Cajon, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. 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 plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also typically around $1,500 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our First American Home Warranty full review.
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
In El Cajon, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. 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 plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also typically around $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Cinch Home Services full review.
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
In El Cajon, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. 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 plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also typically around $2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our The Home Service Club full review.
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 | $7,007 |
| Heating | $4,671 |
| Electrical | $701 |
| Toilets | $584 |
| Washer/Dryer | $934 |
| Plumbing | $701 |
| Oven | $1,868 |
| Fridge | $701 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists El Cajon homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear. When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and functioning appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as refrigerators, garbage disposals, dryers, dishwashers, washers, microwaves, and others. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require El Cajon homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misusing 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:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic plans typically cover electrical, heating, AC, plumbing, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover well pumps, pools, spas, and roof leaks. Look for providers with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you tailor protection to your home's needs.
You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may seek out companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.
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. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential providers to ask how many repair professionals they have in El Cajon and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Home warranty providers might include bonuses such as maintenance discounts, coverage for smart home devices, and energy efficiency upgrades. These add value beyond basic repair coverage. Additional perks help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in El Cajon can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Buying a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down all of a sudden.
Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you time by eliminating the need to research repair people — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the repair or replacement. Additionally, though it varies by company, 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 maybe even help your home sell faster.
There are also some downsides to getting a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
Another thing to consider is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about these things if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in El Cajon. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can lower your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's typically 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 protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in El Cajon.
A home warranty policy can help homeowners, investors, home sellers, real estate agents, and homebuyers. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty plan can cover your 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 want to save some money.
Home warranty plans generally provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Usually the one who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home may purchase a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in El Cajon is $766,501, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
