Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Owning a home in Poway has tons of great advantages, but there are some negatives. Hot summers can cause problems in a home and lead to wear and tear on systems like your HVAC. A home warranty in Poway can help bring down your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best protection for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the top home warranty companies in Poway. Keep reading for our top provider recommendations.
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 Poway residents. Choice has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 Poway homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Choice Home Warranty 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty for Poway residents. Select has more than 11 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 Poway 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. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Select Home Warranty 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty for Poway residents. AHS has more than 26 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 Poway homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our American Home Shield 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
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Poway residents. First American has more than 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 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 Poway homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our First American Home Warranty 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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Poway residents. Cinch has more than 44 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 Poway 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. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Cinch Home Services 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Poway residents. HSC has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 Poway homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our The Home Service Club 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 | $7,022 |
| Heating | $4,681 |
| Electrical | $702 |
| Toilets | $585 |
| Washer/Dryer | $936 |
| Plumbing | $702 |
| Oven | $1,873 |
| Fridge | $702 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps cut costs for Poway homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and working appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include microwaves, garbage disposals, dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, washers, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, heating, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty companies also offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. Poway homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only help pay for repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several important considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for plumbing, heating, electrical, AC, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also cover additional items such as roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your home's needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using providers with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of contractors that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the chance of getting skilled contractors to your home quickly. Contact possible providers to learn how many contractors they have in Poway. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies include bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and smart home device protection. These perks can add value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Temperatures in Poway can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Poway, one benefit of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
As well as saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the hassle of trying to find a qualified contractor to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair issues you may experience. Another good thing about having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty to the new owners. It can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your house sell faster.
There are also some drawbacks to buying a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Additionally, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Poway. Our high-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's often 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 home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Poway.
A home warranty can help investors, home sellers, homeowners, real estate agents, and homebuyers. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Poway include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover almost all your systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the policy.
Home warranty plans typically provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the home seller 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. Considering that the average home value in Poway is $1,131,498, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
