Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Palos Verdes Estates offers homeowners some beautiful housing options. However, unplanned repair and replacement costs on your home’s appliances and systems can get quite pricey. A home warranty in Palos Verdes Estates can help lower your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
The home warranty market is saturated with many providers — all with different coverage — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Palos Verdes Estates.
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 in Palos Verdes Estates. Choice has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our comprehensive 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 in Palos Verdes Estates. Select has over 11 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our comprehensive 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 in Palos Verdes Estates. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our comprehensive 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 in Palos Verdes Estates. First American has over 39 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, this is the plan for you. Plus, it 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 plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. To read more, visit our comprehensive 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 in Palos Verdes Estates. Cinch has over 44 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our comprehensive 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 in Palos Verdes Estates. HSC has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our comprehensive 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 Palos Verdes Estates homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to replace or fix 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 provider 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 delivers peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who own older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer builds with modern fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include dishwashers, dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, microwaves, washers, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. Palos Verdes Estates homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only help pay for repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, 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.
Here are some key home warranty terms to understand before signing a contract:
There are several key considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans cover plumbing, AC, electrical, heating, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also cover other items such as roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Look for companies with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
You'll pay a standard service fee of around $60 to $100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may look for providers advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may waive deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's reputation gives insight into things such as repair timeliness, approval rates, contractor quality, and customer service. Use review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies have networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to learn how many repair technicians they have in Palos Verdes Estates and get an idea for how fast your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. More extensive networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Certain home warranty companies offer perks such as energy-efficient upgrades, discounts on maintenance, and protection for smart home devices. These bonuses can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks can enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.
Home warranties are an inexpensive way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Palos Verdes Estates reaching an average high of 71℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can considerably bring down out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you some time by eliminating the need to research contractors — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to do the repair or replacement. 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 purchased your home warranty through.
One drawback of buying a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read over any contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Also, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements 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 Palos Verdes Estates can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you agree to 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 plan covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Palos Verdes Estates.
A home warranty can help investors, home sellers, homeowners, real estate agents, and homebuyers. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Palos Verdes Estates include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers many of your home systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Palos Verdes Estates is $2,655,808, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
