Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Owning a house can have a lot of perks, but it can also come with some downsides like maintenance. The older your house’s appliances and systems are, the more you may want to consider getting a home warranty. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and give you some peace of mind.
The home warranty market has a variety of providers — all with different price points — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Larkspur.
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 Larkspur, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also 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 around $3,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 Larkspur, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty industry for around 11 years. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, 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 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 around $2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 Larkspur, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for around 26 years. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also 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 around $2,500 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 Larkspur, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in the home warranty industry for around 39 years. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, 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 Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also around $1,500 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 Larkspur, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for around 44 years. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also 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 around $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 Larkspur, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, 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 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 around $2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 | $8,071 |
| Heating | $5,380 |
| Electrical | $807 |
| Toilets | $673 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,076 |
| Plumbing | $807 |
| Oven | $2,152 |
| Fridge | $807 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Larkspur homeowners in lowering the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. 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 gives homeowners peace of mind by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for those living in older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include microwaves, dryers, garbage disposals, washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and more. Included systems are usually air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Larkspur homeowners to wait 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically 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 help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty plans vary widely in what they include. Most plans cover plumbing, heating, electrical, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also extend protection to other items such as spas, well pumps, pools, and roof leaks. Focus on providers with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize protection for your home's 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 lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.
A home warranty company's track record gives you 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 Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive reviews and ratings indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential providers to learn the number of repair specialists they have in Larkspur and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks improve the chance of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty providers include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device coverage. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Home warranties are a great way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Larkspur hitting an average high of 64℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can considerably lower out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system break down.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and selecting a contractor to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Additionally, having a home warranty can help make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been getting.
As for the drawbacks of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to read what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.
Another potential 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 denied, so it’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Larkspur can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also reduce your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues related to home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different plan that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Larkspur. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
Homebuyers, home sellers, landlords, real estate agents, and homeowners are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different kinds of home warranties in Larkspur include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items listed in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may purchase a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Larkspur is $2,136,068, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
