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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Homeownership in Berkeley can be exciting for many, but it also comes with its fair share of difficulties. Home repairs can be an unexpected financial burden for many homeowners. 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 protection for your home can be difficult, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Berkeley. Keep reading 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
In Berkeley, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. Liberty offers a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Plus, it also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also about $3,000 at the maximum.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Liberty Home Guard full review. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Berkeley, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also 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. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also about $3,000 at the maximum.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Choice Home Warranty full review. 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
In Berkeley, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, it also 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. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also about $2,000 at the maximum.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Select Home Warranty full review. 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
In Berkeley, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also 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. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also about $2,500 at the maximum.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our American Home Shield full review. 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
In Berkeley, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also about $1,500 at the maximum.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our First American Home Warranty full review. 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
In Berkeley, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also 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. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Cinch Home Services full review. 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
In Berkeley, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, it also 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. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also about $2,000 at the maximum.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our The Home Service Club full review. 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 | $5,970 |
| Heating | $3,980 |
| Electrical | $597 |
| Toilets | $498 |
| Washer/Dryer | $796 |
| Plumbing | $597 |
| Oven | $1,592 |
| Fridge | $597 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps reduce the high costs for Berkeley homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide 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 company then arranges a contractor to make the repair 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 peace of mind to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home's systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances are refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, and more. Protected systems include air conditioning, electrical, heating, and plumbing. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and even locksmiths. It's important for Berkeley homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repair claims will be approved. Most 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 misusing a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are multiple home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:
There are several key factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for plumbing, AC, electrical, heating, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also include extra things such as roof leaks, well pumps, spas, and pools. Focus on providers with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet your needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, you may want to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some companies also eliminate deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer service. Check review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies keep networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Larger networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Berkeley to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Certain home warranty providers include perks such as protection for smart home devices, discounts on maintenance, and energy-efficient upgrades. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks can enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Temperatures in Berkeley can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Berkeley, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of needing to vet technicians yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For example, some plans can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
One disadvantage of purchasing a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read over the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another possible pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Berkeley. Our high-rated home warranty providers' 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 usually cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which can be a threat in Berkeley.
Homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, real estate agents, and landlords are all eligible for 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 systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans typically provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the homeowner 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 Berkeley is $79,050, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
