Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in El Sobrante can be satisfying for many, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Home repairs can be an unanticipated financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty policy can help protect you by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
The home warranty market has many providers — all with different coverage — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you choose the best home warranty companies in El Sobrante.
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 Sobrante, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage 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.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the El Sobrante area.
For more information, read our detailed review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
In El Sobrante, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage 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.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the El Sobrante area.
For more information, read our detailed review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
In El Sobrante, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage 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.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the El Sobrante area.
For more information, read our detailed review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 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
In El Sobrante, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage 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.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the El Sobrante area.
For more information, read our detailed review of First American Home Warranty. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
In El Sobrante, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage 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.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the El Sobrante area.
For more information, read our detailed review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 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
In El Sobrante, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage 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 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the El Sobrante area.
For more information, read our detailed review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 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 | $6,743 |
Heating | $4,495 |
Electrical | $674 |
Toilets | $562 |
Washer/Dryer | $899 |
Plumbing | $674 |
Oven | $1,798 |
Fridge | $674 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists El Sobrante homeowners reduce the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working 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 plan gives homeowners peace of mind because it can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include dishwashers, washers, microwaves, refrigerators, dryers, garbage disposals, and more. Included systems are typically heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, locksmiths, and central vacuums. El Sobrante homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing, such as:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans include protection for electrical, AC, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also cover other items such as spas, well pumps, pools, and roof leaks. Look for providers with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s 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 companies advertising more affordable 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 provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research providers. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in El Sobrante to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Certain home warranty providers include perks such as protection for smart home devices, energy-efficient upgrades, and discounts on maintenance. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks can enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in El Sobrante can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Having a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks all of a sudden.
In addition, having a home warranty can save you time by removing the need to research repair people — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the necessary repair or replacement. Additionally, having a home warranty can help make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been benefiting from.
One major drawback of home warranties is not everything may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different plans and select one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another drawback is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in El Sobrante can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have a lower service fee, broader coverage, and higher coverage limits. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty plans cover issues related to home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in El Sobrante. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
Homebuyers, homeowners, home sellers, real estate agents, and landlords can all get 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 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're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying 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 when using the policy. In El Sobrante, where the median value of a home is $704,603, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.