Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Owning a home in Los Altos has many great benefits, but there are some negatives. Hot summers can cause problems in a home and lead to wear and tear on systems like your HVAC. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and safeguard your savings account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be a challenge because of the many options out there. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty companies in Los Altos.
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 offers the best overall home warranty for Los Altos residents. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. 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. Choice has 2 plans for you to decide between.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough 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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Los Altos residents. Select has been in the home warranty industry for around 11 years. 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. Select has 3 plans for you to decide between.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough 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 offers the most customizable home warranty for Los Altos residents. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for around 26 years. 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. AHS has 3 plans for you to decide between.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough 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 offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Los Altos residents. First American has been in the home warranty industry for around 39 years. 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. First American has 2 plans for you to decide between.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are around the $1,500 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough 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 offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Los Altos residents. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for around 44 years. 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. Cinch has 3 plans for you to decide between.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Los Altos residents. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. 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. HSC has 2 plans for you to decide between.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough 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 | $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 homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear. When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer builds with functional fixtures probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect many home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dryers, refrigerators, washers, dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Los Altos homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Moreover, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some essential home warranty words to know before signing a contract:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans provide coverage for electrical, AC, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive options also include protection for other items such as spas, pools, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for companies with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using companies with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.
A home warranty company's reputation gives insight into things such as contractor quality, claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Favorable reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Los Altos to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty plans offer bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device protection, and maintenance discounts. These perks can add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Home warranty plans are an affordable way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Los Altos hitting an average high of 71℃F, you may find that certain appliances, such as your air conditioner, get a lot of use. A home warranty can remarkably lower out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
Not only does a home warranty provide some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a repair person and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process 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 home, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you have your home warranty with.
One disadvantage of purchasing a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read through any contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another consideration is that home warranties typically only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover systems or appliances that have stopped working due to animal infestations, natural disasters, improper maintenance, etc.
A home warranty in Los Altos can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. 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.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty helps protect against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Los Altos.
A home warranty can help investors, real estate agents, homeowners, homebuyers, and home sellers. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Los Altos include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover almost all your systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying 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 given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Los Altos, where the median value of a home is $3,902,535, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
