Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Los Altos Hills offers homeowners some beautiful living options. However, unplanned repair and replacement costs on your home’s systems and appliances can get quite costly. A home warranty in Los Altos Hills can help lower your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
The home warranty market is saturated with many providers — all with different plans — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Los Altos Hills.
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 Los Altos Hills, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty business for over 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 policies that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage limits from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Los Altos Hills area.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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 Los Altos Hills, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty business for over 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 policies that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage limits from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Los Altos Hills area.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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 Los Altos Hills, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty business for over 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 policies that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage limits from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Los Altos Hills area.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 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 Los Altos Hills, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in the home warranty business for over 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 policies that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage limits from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Los Altos Hills area.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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 Los Altos Hills, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for over 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 policies that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage limits from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Los Altos Hills area.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 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 Los Altos Hills, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty business for over 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 policies that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage limits from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Los Altos Hills area.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 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 | $8,250 |
Heating | $5,500 |
Electrical | $825 |
Toilets | $688 |
Washer/Dryer | $1,100 |
Plumbing | $825 |
Oven | $2,200 |
Fridge | $825 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Los Altos Hills homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then arranges 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 goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind 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 modern appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dishwashers, microwaves, washers, dryers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans also offer add-on coverage options for locksmiths, central vacuums, septic systems, and even roof leaks. It's important for Los Altos Hills homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing a contract, such as:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic policies typically include AC, heating, plumbing, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover pools, roof leaks, spas, and well pumps. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to your needs.
You'll pay a standard service fee of around $60 to $100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may look for providers advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, contractor quality, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to swiftly service your home. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Los Altos Hills to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Home warranty companies often offer bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and coverage for smart home devices. These extras add value beyond basic repair coverage. Additional perks maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Home warranty policies are a great way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Los Altos Hills hitting an average high of 71℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your A.C., get a lot of use. A home warranty can remarkably decrease out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system stop working.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of vetting service technicians yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Additionally, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your property more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
As for the negatives of home warranties, home system and appliance coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to understand what each plan covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Another stipulation is that home warranties usually only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They often won’t cover systems or appliances that have been damaged due to animal infestations, improper maintenance, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty in Los Altos Hills can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans typically have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also reduce 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 helps protect against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects a home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or oven, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Los Altos Hills.
A home warranty policy can help homeowners, home sellers, investors, homebuyers, and real estate agents. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great 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 lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who 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 will pay the service fees. In Los Altos Hills, where the median home value is $5,331,617, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.