Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Although homeownership in Imperial Beach has a great number of benefits — such as being surrounded by nature — there are also downsides. One major issue many homeowners have to deal with inevitably is replacing or repairing their home systems and appliances. A home warranty in Imperial Beach can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best protection for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the top home warranty companies in Imperial Beach. Keep reading for our home warranty recommendations.
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 Imperial Beach, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has been on the market for over 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, Choice is the perfect provider 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 Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also generally around $3,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our review of Choice Home Warranty.
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 Imperial Beach, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been on the market for over 11 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, Select is the perfect provider 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 Home Warranty 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 around $2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our review of Select Home Warranty.
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 Imperial Beach, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been on the market for over 26 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, AHS is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also generally around $2,500 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our review of American Home Shield.
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 Imperial Beach, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been on the market for over 39 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, First American is the perfect provider 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 Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also generally around $1,500 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. To read more, visit our review of First American Home Warranty.
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 Imperial Beach, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been on the market for over 44 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, Cinch is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services 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 around $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our review of Cinch Home Services.
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 Imperial Beach, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been on the market for over 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. 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, HSC is the perfect provider 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 The Home Service Club 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 around $2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $7,082 |
Heating | $4,721 |
Electrical | $708 |
Toilets | $590 |
Washer/Dryer | $944 |
Plumbing | $708 |
Oven | $1,889 |
Fridge | $708 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Imperial Beach homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind by helping avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for owners of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and functioning appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dishwashers, dryers, garbage disposals, washers, refrigerators, microwaves, and more. Included systems are usually electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. Imperial Beach homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. It's important 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 important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for AC, electrical, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also provide protection for additional items such as spas, well pumps, roof leaks, and pools. Look for companies with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your needs.
You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may look for companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may waive deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insight into things such as claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive reviews and ratings indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential companies to ask how many repair specialists they have in Imperial Beach and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Larger networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Home warranty companies may offer bonuses such as maintenance discounts, coverage for smart home devices, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras add value beyond repair coverage. Additional perks can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Imperial Beach’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event 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 needed repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only does a home warranty give you some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a repair person and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. 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 provider you purchased your home warranty through.
Home warranties also have some downsides. While it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a contractor who carries out 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 choose a contractor.
Another thing to consider is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing conditions and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about this if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty in Imperial Beach can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty helps protect against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Imperial Beach.
A home warranty plan can help homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, investors, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different home warranties in Imperial Beach include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover many of your home systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans typically provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who pays 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 transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Imperial Beach, where the median value of a home is $843,674, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.