Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Owning a home in Malibu has a lot of great advantages, but there are some downsides. Hot summers can cause problems in a home and lead to wear and tear on systems like your HVAC. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and protect your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
The home warranty market has many providers — all with different offerings — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Malibu.
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 Malibu residents. Choice has been on the market for over 15 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. 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. Choice has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Malibu homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting 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
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Malibu residents. Select has been on the market for over 11 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. 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. Select has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Malibu 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. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty for Malibu residents. AHS has been on the market for over 26 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. 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. AHS has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Malibu homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting 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
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Malibu residents. First American has been on the market for over 39 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. 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. First American has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Malibu homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Malibu residents. Cinch has been on the market for over 44 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. 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. Cinch has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Malibu 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. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,000-$2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Malibu residents. HSC has been on the market for over 15 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. 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. HSC has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Malibu homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting 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 | $8,169 |
Heating | $5,446 |
Electrical | $817 |
Toilets | $681 |
Washer/Dryer | $1,089 |
Plumbing | $817 |
Oven | $2,178 |
Fridge | $817 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Malibu homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are especially useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include refrigerators, washers, garbage disposals, microwaves, dishwashers, dryers, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for locksmiths, central vacuums, septic systems, and even roof leaks. Malibu should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are a number of home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans cover heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer coverage on other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, pools, and spas. Look for providers with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you tailor protection to your needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, you may want to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some companies also remove deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty company's reputation can provide insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer satisfaction. Use review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for great service.
Home warranty businesses maintain networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair contractors they have in Malibu and get an idea for how fast your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. More extensive networks increase the chances of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty providers include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, reduced maintenance fees, and smart home device coverage. These extras can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Malibu’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can help cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet technicians by yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Another good thing about having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty to the new owners. It can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
As for the disadvantages of home warranties, coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to review what each policy covers and excludes in the contract.
Another thing to consider is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about these things if you need more information or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Malibu. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can decrease your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's typically less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Malibu.
A home warranty policy can help real estate agents, homeowners, investors, home sellers, and homebuyers. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty can cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans usually last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
In general, 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 given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Malibu, where the median home value is $3,334,678, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.