Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
There are many benefits of owning a home, but as your El Cerrito home ages, you may need to factor in the cost of updating your systems and appliances. A home warranty in El Cerrito can help bring down your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be quite a challenge because of the many options out there. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty companies in El Cerrito.
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 Cerrito, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for over 15 years. The 2 home warranty plans that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is lower than other providers in the El Cerrito area.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For more information, 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 Cerrito, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty industry for over 11 years. The 3 home warranty plans that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is lower than other providers in the El Cerrito area.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For more information, 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 Cerrito, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for over 26 years. The 3 home warranty plans that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is lower than other providers in the El Cerrito area.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For more information, 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 Cerrito, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in the home warranty industry for over 39 years. The 2 home warranty plans that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. 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.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is lower than other providers in the El Cerrito area.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For more information, 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 Cerrito, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for over 44 years. The 3 home warranty plans that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is lower than other providers in the El Cerrito area.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For more information, 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 Cerrito, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for over 15 years. The 2 home warranty plans that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. 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 Service Club has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is lower than other providers in the El Cerrito area.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For more information, 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 | $7,653 |
| Heating | $5,102 |
| Electrical | $765 |
| Toilets | $638 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,020 |
| Plumbing | $765 |
| Oven | $2,041 |
| Fridge | $765 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps El Cerrito homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear. When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners, as it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems are normally electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. El Cerrito homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing a contract, such as:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty plans can have major differences in covered items. Most plans provide protection for plumbing, heating, electrical, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also extend protection to other items such as spas, roof leaks, pools, and well pumps. Look for companies with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This helps you tailor protection to your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which gets 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 company's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, repair speed, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Check review sites like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to learn more about companies. Good feedback and ratings suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in El Cerrito to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Certain home warranty companies offer perks such as energy-efficient upgrades, discounts on maintenance, and protection for smart home devices. These bonuses offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks help improve your home and help maximize your home warranty.
El Cerrito’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of having to vet technicians by yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Another benefit of having a home warranty is while selling your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. It can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
As for the disadvantages of home warranties, coverage varies by company, so it’s important to review what each policy covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Another stipulation is that home warranties typically only cover malfunctions due to normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover home systems or appliances that have stopped working due to improper maintenance, animal infestations, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty in El Cerrito can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in El Cerrito.
A home warranty policy can help home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, investors, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
In general, the homeowner is the one who pays 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 El Cerrito, where the median value of a home is $1,157,738, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
