Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many people, but the cost of maintaining it can be expensive over time, especially if your home in Hercules is on the older side. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and safeguard your savings account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be a challenge because of the numerous options available. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the best home warranty providers in Hercules.
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 Hercules, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from Choice, you can benefit from very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Not to mention, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Hercules homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Choice Home Warranty Review. 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
In Hercules, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from Select, you can benefit from a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Not to mention, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Hercules homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Select Home Warranty Review. 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
In Hercules, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from AHS, you can benefit from the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Not to mention, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Hercules homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our American Home Shield Review. 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
In Hercules, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from First American, you can benefit from very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Not to mention, 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 offers 2 plans for Hercules homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are around the $1,500 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our First American Home Warranty Review. 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
In Hercules, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can benefit from a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Not to mention, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Hercules homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Cinch Home Services Review. 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
In Hercules, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from HSC, you can benefit from quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, 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 offers 2 plans for Hercules homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our The Home Service Club Review. 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 | $7,511 |
| Heating | $5,007 |
| Electrical | $751 |
| Toilets | $626 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,001 |
| Plumbing | $751 |
| Oven | $2,003 |
| Fridge | $751 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps cut costs for Hercules homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security since it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include microwaves, refrigerators, garbage disposals, washers, dishwashers, dryers, and more. Covered systems are typically plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Hercules homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Moreover, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, cosmetic issues, 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 key home warranty terms to know before signing a contract:
There are several key considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans provide coverage for plumbing, AC, heating, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive options also include protection for other items such as spas, well pumps, roof leaks, and pools. Look for providers with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to your home's needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, you may want to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some providers also do away with deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty company's track record gives insight into things such as claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Favorable ratings and reviews indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers have networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Hercules to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty providers include perks such as smart home device coverage, reduced maintenance fees, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Hercules can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Buying a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks all of a sudden.
As well as saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can offer you peace of mind and save you the headache of trying to find a qualified repair person to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair issues you may experience. A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For example, some plans can be transferred between owners during a home sale.
One of the major drawbacks of home warranties is not everything you care about may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different plans and opt for one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another possible pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your repair requests 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 in Hercules can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also reduce 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 plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Hercules.
A home warranty policy can help investors, home sellers, homeowners, homebuyers, and real estate agents. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Hercules include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover almost all your home systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
In general, the homeowner is responsible for paying 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 will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Hercules, where the median value of a home is $798,466, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
