Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Tracy can be satisfying for many, but it also comes with its fair share of headaches. Home repairs can be an unexpected financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty can help protect homeowners by reducing the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
The home warranty market is saturated with many providers — all with different coverage — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Tracy.
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 for Tracy residents. Choice has been in the home warranty business for about 15 years. The 2 home warranty plans that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
To read more, visit our detailed review of Choice Home Warranty. To get 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
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Tracy residents. Select has been in the home warranty business for about 11 years. The 3 home warranty plans that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
To read more, visit our detailed review of Select Home Warranty. To get 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty for Tracy residents. AHS has been in the home warranty business for about 26 years. The 3 home warranty plans that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To read more, visit our detailed review of American Home Shield. To get 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
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Tracy residents. First American has been in the home warranty business for about 39 years. The 2 home warranty plans that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are around the $1,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
To read more, visit our detailed review of First American Home Warranty. To get 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Tracy residents. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for about 44 years. The 3 home warranty plans that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To read more, visit our detailed review of Cinch Home Services. To get 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Tracy residents. HSC has been in the home warranty business for about 15 years. The 2 home warranty plans that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To read more, visit our detailed review of The Home Service Club. To get 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 | $7,606 |
| Heating | $5,071 |
| Electrical | $761 |
| Toilets | $634 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,014 |
| Plumbing | $761 |
| Oven | $2,028 |
| Fridge | $761 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Tracy homeowners reduce the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, dryers, garbage disposals, washers, and others. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. It's important for Tracy homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. The majority of policies also only cover 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. Stay current with preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic policies typically cover AC, electrical, heating, plumbing, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover spas, pools, roof leaks, and well pumps. Focus on companies with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which gets paid per repair request filed. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for companies with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
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 Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for quality service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Wider networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to promptly service your home. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Tracy to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty providers provide extras such as smart home device protection, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These perks add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Temperatures in Tracy can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is likely to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in Tracy, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they have to be repaired or replaced.
In addition, having a home warranty can save you time by eliminating the need to research service technicians — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the necessary repair or replacement. In addition, though it varies by company, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
There are also some negatives to getting a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
Another consideration is that home warranties typically only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover home systems or appliances that have been damaged due to improper maintenance, animal infestations, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Tracy. Our high-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 opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's often cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues with home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of plan that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Tracy. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
Homebuyers, home sellers, real estate agents, homeowners, and landlords are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty plan can cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans generally last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may buy a home warranty plan 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 Tracy is $750,657, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
