Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many, but the cost of maintaining it can be expensive over time, especially if your home in Santa Maria is on the older side. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and give you some peace of mind.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging, since there are dozens of companies to decide between. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and put together a list of the best home warranty companies in Santa Maria for you.
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 Santa Maria, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. The 2 plans from Choice are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and 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. Read more by visiting our 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 Santa Maria, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. The 3 plans from Select are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and 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. Read more by visiting our 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 Santa Maria, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and 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. Read more by visiting our 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 Santa Maria, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. The 2 plans from First American are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are around the $1,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and 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. Read more by visiting our 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 Santa Maria, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. The 3 plans from Cinch are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and 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. Read more by visiting our 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 Santa Maria, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. The 2 plans from HSC are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and 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. Read more by visiting our 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 | $7,063 |
| Heating | $4,708 |
| Electrical | $706 |
| Toilets | $589 |
| Washer/Dryer | $942 |
| Plumbing | $706 |
| Oven | $1,883 |
| Fridge | $706 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps reduce the high costs for Santa Maria homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair 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 cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include dryers, washers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. Santa Maria homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by the policy.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing a contract, such as:
There are several key factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans cover plumbing, electrical, heating, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also extend protection to other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet 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 per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may look for companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may waive deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, claim approval rates, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to learn more about companies. Favorable feedback and ratings suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential businesses to ask how many repair technicians they have in Santa Maria and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Larger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty providers include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, smart home device coverage, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Since temperatures in Santa Maria can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Purchasing a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working unexpectedly.
In addition, having a home warranty can save you time by eliminating the need to research contractors — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the necessary repair or replacement. Another good thing about having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. It can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
Home warranties also have some downsides. Although it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a repair person who carries out the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they would prefer to choose a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty providers let you select a contractor.
Another stipulation is that home warranties typically only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover home systems or appliances that have stopped working due to natural disasters, improper maintenance, animal infestations, etc.
A home warranty in Santa Maria can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have a lower service fee, broader coverage, and higher coverage limits. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also reduce 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 types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects the entire home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Santa Maria.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, real estate agents, and home sellers can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty will cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans generally last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Santa Maria, where the median home value is $588,224, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
