Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Although homeownership in Lathrop has many benefits — such as being surrounded by nature — there are also not so glamorous sides. One major issue many homeowners have to deal with at some point is replacing or repairing their home appliances and systems. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and shield your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be overwhelming, since there are lots of companies to decide between. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and made a list of the top home warranty companies in Lathrop 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
In Lathrop, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in business for more than 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. With a home warranty from Choice, you can enjoy very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Not to mention, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Lathrop area.
Read more by visiting our Choice Home Warranty Review. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, 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 Lathrop, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in business for more than 11 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. With a home warranty from Select, you can enjoy a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Not to mention, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is lower than other providers in the Lathrop area.
Read more by visiting our Select Home Warranty Review. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, 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 Lathrop, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in business for more than 26 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. With a home warranty from AHS, you can enjoy the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Not to mention, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is lower than other providers in the Lathrop area.
Read more by visiting our American Home Shield Review. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, 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 Lathrop, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in business for more than 39 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. With a home warranty from First American, you can enjoy very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Not to mention, 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. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Lathrop area.
Read more by visiting our First American Home Warranty Review. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, 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 Lathrop, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in business for more than 44 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can enjoy a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Not to mention, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is lower than other providers in the Lathrop area.
Read more by visiting our Cinch Home Services Review. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, 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 Lathrop, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in business for more than 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. With a home warranty from HSC, you can enjoy quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is lower than other providers in the Lathrop area.
Read more by visiting our The Home Service Club Review. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, 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 | $6,806 |
Heating | $4,538 |
Electrical | $681 |
Toilets | $567 |
Washer/Dryer | $908 |
Plumbing | $681 |
Oven | $1,815 |
Fridge | $681 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Lathrop homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider 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 gives peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer builds with functional fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your household systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include washers, microwaves, garbage disposals, dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, and others. Protected systems include heating, air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing. Various home warranty plans offer extra coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Lathrop homeowners should 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 needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing, such as:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic policies typically include plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover roof leaks, spas, well pumps, and pools. Look for companies with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which is paid per service call made. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for providers with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, repair speed, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about providers. Positive ratings and feedback suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair professionals they have in Lathrop and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. More extensive networks raise the probability of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty providers provide extras such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device protection. These perks can add value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Lathrop’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems if 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 repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of having to vet technicians by yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For example, some plans can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.
There are also some drawbacks to purchasing a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about these things if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Lathrop. 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 choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's often cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems with systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different insurance that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Lathrop. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
First-time homebuyers, home sellers, real estate agents, homeowners, and landlords 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 can cover your home’s 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 helpful if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans usually offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Generally, 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 given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Lathrop, where the median value of a home is $628,816, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.