Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in San Marcos can be satisfying for many people, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Repairing your home’s systems and appliances can be an unanticipated financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and safeguard your bank account from large expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be a challenge because of the many options out there. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty companies in San Marcos.
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 San Marcos, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice is a home warranty provider with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. Choice has 2 plans for you to decide between. When you buy a home warranty 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.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for San Marcos homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the San Marcos area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In San Marcos, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select is a home warranty provider with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. Select has 3 plans for you to decide between. When you buy a home warranty 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.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for San Marcos 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 from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the San Marcos area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Select Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In San Marcos, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS is a home warranty provider with 26 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. AHS has 3 plans for you to decide between. When you buy a home warranty 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.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for San Marcos homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the San Marcos area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of American Home Shield. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In San Marcos, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American is a home warranty provider with 39 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. First American has 2 plans for you to decide between. When you buy a home warranty 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.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for San Marcos homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the San Marcos area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of First American Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In San Marcos, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch is a home warranty provider with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. Cinch has 3 plans for you to decide between. When you buy a home warranty 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.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for San Marcos 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 from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the San Marcos area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Cinch Home Services. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In San Marcos, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC is a home warranty provider with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. HSC has 2 plans for you to decide between. When you buy a home warranty 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.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for San Marcos 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 from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the San Marcos area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of The Home Service Club. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $7,365 |
| Heating | $4,910 |
| Electrical | $736 |
| Toilets | $614 |
| Washer/Dryer | $982 |
| Plumbing | $736 |
| Oven | $1,964 |
| Fridge | $736 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps cut costs for San Marcos 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 submit 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 provides peace of mind for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly useful for those who own older homes or ones with aging systems. More modern homes with working appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include dryers, microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators, and others. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require San Marcos homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also include other things such as well pumps, pools, spas, and roof leaks. Look for a company that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and 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 more affordable 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 can give you insight into things such as contractor quality, repair timeliness, approval rates, and customer service. Use review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for exceptional service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to your home promptly. Contact possible providers to learn how many repair professionals they have in San Marcos. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies offer extras such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device protection. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses help maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Since temperatures in San Marcos can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Having a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working suddenly.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of vetting contractors yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Plus, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will let you transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
As for the drawbacks of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to understand what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.
Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the affected systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in San Marcos. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's often cheaper 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 helps protect against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects the entire home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in San Marcos.
Homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, landlords, and home sellers 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.
A home warranty policy will cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Typically, the one who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home may purchase 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. Since the average home value in San Marcos is $912,665, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
