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 get expensive over time, especially if your home in Elk Grove is on the older side. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Finding the best warranty for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the top home warranty companies in Elk Grove. Read on for our recommendations.
Very highly rated among customer service reviews
Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Extensive list of 20+ add-on coverages
Easy claims process
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty in Elk Grove. Liberty has been operating for around 6 years, making it a respected company in the industry. Liberty has 3 plans for you to decide between. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can benefit from a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Not to mention, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also about $3,000.
To read more, visit our review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.
Appliance Guard
Systems Guard
Total Home Guard
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 in Elk Grove. Choice has been operating for around 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. Choice has 2 plans for you to decide between. 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.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also about $3,000.
To read more, visit our review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty in Elk Grove. Select has been operating for around 11 years, making it a respected company in the industry. Select has 3 plans for you to decide between. 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.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also about $2,000.
To read more, visit our review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 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 is the most customizable home warranty in Elk Grove. AHS has been operating for around 26 years, making it a respected company in the industry. AHS has 3 plans for you to decide between. 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.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also about $2,500.
To read more, visit our review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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 in Elk Grove. Cinch has been operating for around 44 years, making it a respected company in the industry. Cinch has 3 plans for you to decide between. 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.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also about $1,000-$2,000.
To read more, visit our review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Elk Grove. HSC has been operating for around 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. HSC has 2 plans for you to decide between. 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.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also about $2,000.
To read more, visit our review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 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 | $6,419 |
| Heating | $4,279 |
| Electrical | $642 |
| Toilets | $535 |
| Washer/Dryer | $856 |
| Plumbing | $642 |
| Oven | $1,712 |
| Fridge | $642 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps reduce the high costs for Elk Grove homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair 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 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 exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are garbage disposals, washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, dryers, and more. Included systems are normally plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. Elk Grove homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are multiple home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans cover heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive options also offer protection for other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, pools, and spas. Look for providers with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your home's 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, some homeowners prefer to choose a company with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also do away with deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty provider's reputation can give you insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer satisfaction. Check review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for great service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the probability of getting skilled contractors to your home promptly. Contact possible providers to learn how many technicians they have in Elk Grove. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies include perks such as smart home device coverage, reduced maintenance fees, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Elk Grove’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
In addition to saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can give you peace of mind and save you the headache of trying to find a qualified contractor to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair problems you may come across. A home warranty can also give value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred to another owner when you sell your home.
One drawback of purchasing a home warranty is that there are usually 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 any contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about these things if you need more information or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Elk Grove. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can lower your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's typically less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranties cover problems with home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger insurance that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which can be a concern in Elk Grove. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty policy can help homeowners, home sellers, homebuyers, investors, and real estate agents. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Elk Grove include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers almost all your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies 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 home seller may buy a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Elk Grove is $356,719, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
