Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Encinitas can be exciting for many people, but it also comes with its fair share of headaches. Repairing your home’s appliances and systems can be an unanticipated financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty in Encinitas can help bring down 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 home warranty on the market can be quite a challenge because of the many options out there. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the best home warranty providers in Encinitas.
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 Encinitas 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 2 plans that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also generally about $3,000 at the maximum.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of Choice Home Warranty. To get 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty for Encinitas 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 3 plans that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,000 at the maximum.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of Select Home Warranty. To get 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 is the most customizable home warranty for Encinitas 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 3 plans that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,500 at the maximum.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of American Home Shield. To get 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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Encinitas 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 2 plans that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also generally about $1,500 at the maximum.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of First American Home Warranty. To get 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Encinitas 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 3 plans that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners 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 generally about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of Cinch Home Services. To get 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Encinitas 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 2 plans that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners 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 generally about $2,000 at the maximum.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of The Home Service Club. To get 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 | $7,835 |
| Heating | $5,223 |
| Electrical | $784 |
| Toilets | $653 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,045 |
| Plumbing | $784 |
| Oven | $2,089 |
| Fridge | $784 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Encinitas homeowners lower the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to repair 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 cost of repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. More modern homes with modern appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dryers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, washers, dishwashers, microwaves, and more. Covered systems include electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Encinitas homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only address repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty words to learn before signing a contract:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also provide protection for additional items such as spas, pools, roof leaks, and well pumps. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your home's 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 companies with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.
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 provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair contractors they have in Encinitas and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Wider networks increase the chances of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty providers may include perks such as smart home device coverage, reduced maintenance fees, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Encinitas’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can help 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.
Additionally, having a home warranty can save you some time by eliminating the need to research technicians — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to do the repair or replacement. A home warranty can also yield value in other ways. For example, some policies can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.
One of the main drawbacks of home warranties is not every home system and appliance may be covered. It’s important to compare the different policies and choose one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about this if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Encinitas. Our high-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's often cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues with home systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of plan that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Encinitas. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
First-time homebuyers, home sellers, landlords, homeowners, and real estate agents can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Encinitas include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover your home systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
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 Encinitas, where the median value of a home is $1,790,597, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
