Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
There are many benefits of owning a home, but as your Merced home gets older, you may have to update or repair your systems and appliances. A home warranty can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be quite a challenge because of the numerous options available. If you're frustrated with trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the best home warranty companies in Merced.
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 Merced, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty business for about 15 years. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. When you buy a plan from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to around $3,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For more information, read our Choice Home Warranty full review.
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 Merced, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty business for about 11 years. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. When you buy a plan from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For more information, read our Select Home Warranty full review.
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 Merced, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty business for about 26 years. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. When you buy a plan from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,500 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For more information, read our American Home Shield full review.
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 Merced, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in the home warranty business for about 39 years. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. When you buy a plan from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage limits come out to around $1,500 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For more information, read our First American Home Warranty full review.
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 Merced, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for about 44 years. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. When you buy a plan from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to around $1,000-$2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For more information, read our Cinch Home Services full review.
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 Merced, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty business for about 15 years. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. When you buy a plan from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For more information, read our The Home Service Club full review.
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 | $6,275 |
| Heating | $4,183 |
| Electrical | $627 |
| Toilets | $523 |
| Washer/Dryer | $837 |
| Plumbing | $627 |
| Oven | $1,673 |
| Fridge | $627 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Merced homeowners in reducing the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to replace or repair appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. 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 peace of mind to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, dishwashers, microwaves, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and locksmiths. Merced homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only address repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
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 coverage varies, although most plans include protection for electrical, heating, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also include other things such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Look for providers with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, you may want to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also do away with deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty company's reputation provides 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 TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Favorable reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. More extensive networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to your home swiftly. Contact possible providers to ask how many technicians they have in Merced to understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty providers may include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, smart home device coverage, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras can provide extra value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Merced can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Purchasing a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down unexpectedly.
On top of saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can offer you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified repair person to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair issues you may come across. Another benefit of having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty policy to the new owners. It can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your house sell faster.
One major drawback of home warranties is not everything you care about may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different plans and choose one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another possible pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your claims being rejected, so it’s important to be sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Merced can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay 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 plans cover problems with systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of plan that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Merced. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
Homebuyers, landlords, home sellers, real estate agents, and homeowners can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Merced include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover almost all your home systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans generally last 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 is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Merced, where the median value of a home is $378,722, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
