Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Mill Valley gives homeowners some great living options and the opportunity to enjoy all four seasons. However, temperatures can do a number on your home’s systems, such as your HVAC. A home warranty in Mill Valley can help lower your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
The home warranty market is saturated with a variety of providers — all with different offerings — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Mill Valley.
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 is the best overall home warranty in Mill Valley. 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 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Mill Valley homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty in Mill Valley. 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 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Mill Valley homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty in Mill Valley. 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 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Mill Valley homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can 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
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Mill Valley. 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 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Mill Valley homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are around the $1,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of First American Home Warranty. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can 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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Mill Valley. 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 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Mill Valley homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Mill Valley. 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 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Mill Valley homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can 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 | $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 assists Mill Valley homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial coverage 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 repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty policy gives homeowners a sense of security and can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. Mill Valley should understand that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to know before signing a contract, such as:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans provide coverage for AC, plumbing, electrical, heating, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer coverage on other items such as pools, well pumps, spas, and roof leaks. Look for providers with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which gets paid per claim you submit. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's reputation can give you insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer satisfaction. Browse review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Mill Valley to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty plans provide bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and smart home device protection. These perks add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Mill Valley can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Purchasing a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working unexpectedly.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of needing to vet service technicians on your own, home warranty companies 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 instance, some policies can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.
One of the main drawbacks of a home warranty is not every home system and appliance may be covered. It’s important to research the different policies and choose one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Additionally, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they were damaged due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Mill Valley can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. This cost is often lower if 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 kinds of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues with systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of insurance that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Mill Valley. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
Homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, landlords, and real estate agents are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different types of home warranties in Mill Valley include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover almost all your home systems and appliances, including your washing machine, drier, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items listed in the plan.
Home warranty plans usually last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home may purchase a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Mill Valley is $2,002,110, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
