Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
There are a lot of benefits of owning a home, but as your Emeryville home ages, you may need to update your systems and appliances. A home warranty plan 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.
The home warranty market has many providers — all with different offerings — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Emeryville.
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 is the best overall home warranty for Emeryville residents. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our full review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty for Emeryville residents. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our full review of Select Home Warranty. To receive 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty for Emeryville residents. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our full review of American Home Shield. To receive 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
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Emeryville residents. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our full review of First American Home Warranty. To receive 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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Emeryville residents. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,000-$2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our full review of Cinch Home Services. To receive 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Emeryville residents. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our full review of The Home Service Club. To receive 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 | $7,941 |
| Heating | $5,294 |
| Electrical | $794 |
| Toilets | $662 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,059 |
| Plumbing | $794 |
| Oven | $2,118 |
| Fridge | $794 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps lower expenses for Emeryville homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind 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 require a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include microwaves, refrigerators, dryers, washers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for central vacuums, locksmiths, septic systems, and even roof leaks. Emeryville should understand that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are a number of home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic plans typically include heating, plumbing, electrical, AC, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover roof leaks, pools, spas, and well pumps. Look for a provider that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using providers with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty provider's reputation can give you insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer service. Browse review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for great service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to swiftly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Emeryville to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies include extras such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks can add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Temperatures in Emeryville can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Emeryville, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding 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. A home warranty can also have value in other ways. For instance, some policies can be transferred between owners during a home sale.
As for the disadvantages of home warranties, coverage varies by company, so it’s important to review what each policy covers and excludes in the contract.
Another potential pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Emeryville. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can decrease your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's usually cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Emeryville.
First-time homebuyers, landlords, homeowners, home sellers, and real estate agents can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty will cover your home’s 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 useful if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans typically last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the home seller 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. Considering that the average home value in Emeryville is $546,427, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
