Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
With hot summers, maintaining your home systems and appliances, specifically your HVAC, is very important for homeowners in La Palma. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and protect your savings account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be difficult because of the sheer number of options out there. If you're frustrated with trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty companies in La Palma.
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 in La Palma. Choice has been operating for over 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. When you purchase a policy from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice offers 2 plans for you to decide between.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for La Palma homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the La Palma area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed 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 in La Palma. Select has been operating for over 11 years, making it a respected company in the industry. When you purchase a policy from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select offers 3 plans for you to decide between.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for La Palma 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 from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the La Palma area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed 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 in La Palma. AHS has been operating for over 26 years, making it a respected company in the industry. When you purchase a policy from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS offers 3 plans for you to decide between.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for La Palma homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the La Palma area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed 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 in La Palma. First American has been operating for over 39 years, making it a respected company in the industry. When you purchase a policy from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty 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. First American offers 2 plans for you to decide between.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for La Palma homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the La Palma area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed 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 in La Palma. Cinch has been operating for over 44 years, making it a respected company in the industry. When you purchase a policy from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch offers 3 plans for you to decide between.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for La Palma 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 from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the La Palma area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed 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 in La Palma. HSC has been operating for over 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. When you purchase a policy from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC offers 2 plans for you to decide between.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for La Palma 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 from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the La Palma area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed 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 | $7,258 |
| Heating | $4,839 |
| Electrical | $726 |
| Toilets | $605 |
| Washer/Dryer | $968 |
| Plumbing | $726 |
| Oven | $1,936 |
| Fridge | $726 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps lower expenses for La Palma homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working 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 fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, dryers, garbage disposals, washers, and others. Covered systems include electrical, heating, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, locksmiths, and septic systems. La Palma 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 things like pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or improper use 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.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also include additional items such as well pumps, pools, spas, and roof leaks. Focus on companies with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your needs.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may seek out companies advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate 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 timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Favorable reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies keep networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Larger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in La Palma to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Home warranty providers might offer bonuses such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and coverage for smart home devices. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Home warranties are an inexpensive way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in La Palma hitting an average high of 70℃F, you may find that certain appliances, such as your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly bring down out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you some time by eliminating the need to research repair people — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the necessary repair or replacement. In addition, though it varies by company, some providers will let you transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
Home warranties also have some downsides. While it can give you less to worry about since the home warranty sends out a service technician who does the repair for you, some may not like this, and they would rather select their own contractor. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty plans let you select a contractor.
Another possible pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your repair requests being rejected, so it’s important to be sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in La Palma can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. Home warranties are often cheaper when 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 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 a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in La Palma.
A home warranty plan can help homebuyers, investors, homeowners, home sellers, and real estate agents. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty can cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
In general, the homeowner is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In La Palma, where the median value of a home is $1,058,086, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
