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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Homeownership in Hillsborough comes with many benefits, but it also comes with worries and concerns. Your home’s appliances and systems will eventually need repairs, and this could mean a burdensome expense. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and shield your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging, since there are so many companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and compiled a list of the best home warranty companies in Hillsborough for you.
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 Hillsborough residents. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 plans from Choice are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To read more, visit our detailed review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive 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 Hillsborough residents. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the plan for you. 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 are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To read more, visit our detailed review of Select Home Warranty. To receive 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 Hillsborough residents. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To read more, visit our detailed review of American Home Shield. To receive 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 Hillsborough residents. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, this is the plan for you. 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 are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To read more, visit our detailed review of First American Home Warranty. To receive 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 Hillsborough residents. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 plans from Cinch are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To read more, visit our detailed review of Cinch Home Services. To receive 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 Hillsborough residents. 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, this is the plan for you. 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 HSC are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To read more, visit our detailed review of The Home Service Club. To receive 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 | $8,217 |
| Heating | $5,478 |
| Electrical | $822 |
| Toilets | $685 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,096 |
| Plumbing | $822 |
| Oven | $2,191 |
| Fridge | $822 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Hillsborough homeowners reduce the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that malfunction 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 repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security because it can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dishwashers, dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, washers, microwaves, and more. Protected systems include heating, air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty plans offer additional coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Hillsborough 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 due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or improperly using a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some key home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
There are several key considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty policies vary widely in what they include. Most plans provide protection for plumbing, AC, electrical, heating, and appliances. More robust plans also include coverage for other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Look for companies with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your 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, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also eliminate deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty company's reputation gives insight into things such as contractor quality, repair timeliness, approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Check review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to your home promptly. Reach out to possible providers to learn how many repair professionals they have in Hillsborough to understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty plans include extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device protection, and maintenance discounts. These add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Temperatures in Hillsborough can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Hillsborough, 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 saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and selecting a repair person 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. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can increase your home’s real estate value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you purchased your home warranty through.
One disadvantage of getting a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read through any contracts you’re considering thoroughly to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another consideration is that home warranties typically only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover home systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to natural disasters, animal infestations, improper maintenance, etc.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Hillsborough. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can decrease your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's typically less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues with systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of insurance that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Hillsborough. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, home sellers, landlords, and real estate agents 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 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.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Hillsborough, where the median value of a home is $5,143,752, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
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