Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in Palo Alto can be gratifying for many, but it also comes with its fair share of headaches. Updating your home’s appliances and systems can be an unforeseen financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and give you some peace of mind.
The home warranty market is saturated with many providers — all with different price points — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Palo Alto.
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 for Palo Alto residents. Choice is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. 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. The 2 policies that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Palo Alto 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 caps come out to around $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty for Palo Alto residents. Select is a home warranty company with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. 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. The 3 policies that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Palo Alto 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 caps come out to around $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 is the most customizable home warranty for Palo Alto residents. AHS is a home warranty company with 26 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. 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. The 3 policies that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Palo Alto 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 caps come out to around $2,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Palo Alto residents. First American is a home warranty company with 39 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. 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. The 2 policies that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Palo Alto 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 caps come out to around $1,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Palo Alto residents. Cinch is a home warranty company with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. 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. The 3 policies that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Palo Alto 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 caps come out to around $1,000-$2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Palo Alto residents. HSC is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. 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. The 2 policies that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Palo Alto 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 caps come out to around $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 assists Palo Alto homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to fix or replace 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 company then finds a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security and can help avoid costly 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 modern appliances and fixtures may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home's systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances are microwaves, dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, washers, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans offer additional coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and even locksmiths. It's important for Palo Alto homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are multiple home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans cover electrical, AC, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive options also cover other items such as spas, pools, well pumps, and roof leaks. Focus on providers with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your home's 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 lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also eliminate deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty company's track record gives insight into things such as claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Complimentary ratings and reviews indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to your home promptly. Reach out to possible providers to find out how many repair professionals they have in Palo Alto to understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty providers include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device coverage. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Home warranty policies are an affordable way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Palo Alto hitting an average high of 71℃F, you may find that some appliances, like your air conditioner, get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly bring down out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system break down.
Not only can a home warranty offer some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. 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. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One of the major drawbacks of home warranties is not every home system and appliance may be covered. It’s important to research the different plans and choose one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another stipulation is that home warranties usually only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover home systems or appliances that have stopped working due to animal infestations, improper maintenance, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Palo Alto. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's usually less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Palo Alto.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, real estate agents, home sellers, and landlords can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty policy will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans typically provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
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 transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Palo Alto, where the median value of a home is $3,144,660, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
