Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many people, but maintaining it can get expensive over time, especially if your home in San Pablo is on the older side. A home warranty policy can help protect homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important 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 frustrated with trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the top home warranty companies in San Pablo.
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 Pablo, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from Choice, you can benefit from very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Not to mention, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage caps come out to about $3,000 per covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our detailed 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
In San Pablo, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from Select, you can benefit from a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Not to mention, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our detailed 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
In San Pablo, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from AHS, you can benefit from the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Not to mention, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,500 per covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our detailed 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
In San Pablo, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from First American, you can benefit from very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Not to mention, 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage caps come out to about $1,500 per covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. To read more, visit our detailed 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
In San Pablo, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can benefit from a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Not to mention, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage caps come out to about $1,000-$2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our detailed 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
In San Pablo, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from HSC, you can benefit from quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our detailed 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 | $7,282 |
Heating | $4,855 |
Electrical | $728 |
Toilets | $607 |
Washer/Dryer | $971 |
Plumbing | $728 |
Oven | $1,942 |
Fridge | $728 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps reduce the high costs for San Pablo homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break due to 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 repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and functioning appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include microwaves, garbage disposals, washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, air conditioning, heating, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. San Pablo should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repair claims will be approved. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or improperly using a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty words to know before signing a contract:
There are several key factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover AC, electrical, plumbing, heating, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also include protection for other items such as roof leaks, well pumps, pools, and spas. Look for a company that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and 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 companies also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty company's reputation can give you insight into things such as contractor quality, repair timeliness, approval rates, and customer service. Browse review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for great service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential businesses to ask how many repair specialists they have in San Pablo and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Home warranty companies often offer bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, coverage for smart home devices, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in San Pablo can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Getting a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks unexpectedly.
Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you some time by getting rid of the need to research technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to do the repair or replacement. Additionally, having a home warranty can make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been receiving.
One drawback of a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For example, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read through the contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another stipulation is that home warranties usually only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to animal infestations, natural disasters, improper maintenance, etc.
A home warranty in San Pablo can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects the entire home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in San Pablo.
Homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, landlords, and real estate agents can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty plan can cover your home’s appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty policy offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one 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. Since the average home value in San Pablo is $584,572, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.