Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in Huntington Beach has many perks, but it also comes with its difficulties. Your home’s appliances and systems will eventually need repairs, and this could mean a burdensome expense. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult because of the sheer number of options available. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the top home warranty companies in Huntington Beach.
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 Huntington Beach, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty business for around 15 years. 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 from Choice are easy to understand and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
Read more by visiting our review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can 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 Huntington Beach, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty business for around 11 years. 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 from Select are easy to understand and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
Read more by visiting our review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can 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 Huntington Beach, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty business for around 26 years. 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 from AHS are easy to understand and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
Read more by visiting our review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can 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 Huntington Beach, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in the home warranty business for around 39 years. 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 from First American are easy to understand and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are close to the $1,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
Read more by visiting our review of First American Home Warranty. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can 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 Huntington Beach, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for around 44 years. 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 from Cinch are easy to understand and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
Read more by visiting our review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can 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 Huntington Beach, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty business for around 15 years. 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 from HSC are easy to understand and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
Read more by visiting our review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can 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 | $7,494 |
Heating | $4,996 |
Electrical | $749 |
Toilets | $624 |
Washer/Dryer | $999 |
Plumbing | $749 |
Oven | $1,998 |
Fridge | $749 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Huntington Beach homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to replace or fix appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides peace of mind 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. Newer builds with working appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include garbage disposals, washers, microwaves, dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, and others. Protected systems include air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and electrical. Various home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. It's important for Huntington Beach homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to know before signing, such as:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic policies typically cover AC, heating, electrical, plumbing, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Focus on companies with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your home's needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, so some homeowners prefer using providers with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, claim approval rates, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to learn more about providers. Favorable ratings and feedback suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to learn how many repair technicians they have in Huntington Beach and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Larger networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, reduced maintenance fees, and smart home device coverage. These extras can provide extra value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Huntington Beach can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Getting a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks all of a sudden.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and selecting a contractor 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 good thing about having a home warranty is while selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty policy to the new owners. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your home sell faster.
Home warranties also have some cons. Though it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a repair person who does the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would rather select a contractor themselves. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty companies let you select a contractor.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about it if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Huntington Beach. Our top-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. Additionally, it's typically 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. A homeowners insurance plan protects your entire home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Huntington Beach.
A home warranty plan can help real estate agents, homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, and investors. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty will cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually, the homeowner is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Huntington Beach, where the median home value is $1,198,876, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.