Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By Todays Homeowner Local Pros
Last Updated May 2023
If you're looking into getting a home warranty, our guide on the top providers in Oakland can help. Buying a home is a big step for many, but the cost of maintaining it can get expensive over time as your Oakland home ages.
When one of your systems or appliances malfunctions, a home warranty will help you cover the costs. Having a home warranty in place can give homeowners the peace of mind they need to feel less stressed by homeownership. Finding the right home warranty plan for your Oakland home can be difficult, so our team at Today's Homeowner did the research to help you find the best plan that will work for your home. Keep reading for our home warranty company recommendations.
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 Oakland. With a home warranty from Choice, you can enjoy 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 that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also around $3,000.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For more information, read 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty for Oakland residents. 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 3 home warranty plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty 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 most major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty for Oakland residents. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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. The coverage caps associated with AHS's plans are around the $2,500 mark for many 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 call 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our review of American Home Shield.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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 Oakland residents. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. When you purchase a home warranty from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC has 2 plans for you to decide between.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is lower than other providers in the Oakland area.
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 our The Home Service Club full review to learn more.
Standard Coverage Plan
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
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
Isn’t available in 2 states
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty in Oakland. The 3 policies that Liberty offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. When you purchase a home warranty from Liberty, you will get a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Liberty Home Guard also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Oakland homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also generally about $3,000.
To read more, visit our review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.
Appliance Guard
Systems Guard
Total Home Guard
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 in Oakland. First American has about 39 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians in the country. With a home warranty from First American, you can enjoy 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. The 2 plans from First American are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
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 close to the $1,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
To read more, visit our thorough review of First American Home Warranty. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Oakland residents. Cinch has more than 44 years of industry experience and in that time has built a a skilled network of service professionals nationwide. 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. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Oakland homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with Cinch's plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
Read more by visiting our detailed 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
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 | $6,297 |
| Heating | $4,198 |
| Electrical | $630 |
| Toilets | $525 |
| Washer/Dryer | $840 |
| Plumbing | $630 |
| Oven | $1,679 |
| Fridge | $630 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps homeowners account for the high costs of appliance and systems repairs. Home warranties will cover a select number of home systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home warranty is one thing that can make budgeting and managing your finances easier. A home warranty plan typically has a 30-day waiting period from the time you purchase to when you can start using it.
For Oakland homeowners, it is very straightforward to file a claim when a problem happens with a covered appliance or system. Most home warranty companies have an online portal system where a claim can be submitted.
The claim is then processed, and a homeowner will pay the predetermined service fee to schedule the repair. This repair will usually happen within 24 to 72 hours and there shouldn't be any out-of-pocket expenses. Most service fees range between $60 and $150.
A home warranty plan will cover systems and appliances that have stopped working due to normal wear and tear. For example, if your refrigerator suddenly stops working under normal use conditions, your home warranty company can help. Appliances covered under a home warranty plan are the dryer, microwave, garbage disposal, refrigerator, dishwasher, and more. Systems that are covered include heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems.
Many plans also provide add-on coverage options for central vacuums, locksmiths, septic systems, and even roof leaks.
A home warranty will only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. If you are experiencing cosmetic issues with appliances or you have not properly maintained your home systems and appliances, the home warranty will not cover it. Also, natural disasters, intentional breakages, and pre-existing conditions are not covered with a home warranty.
Home warranty policies are an inexpensive way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Oakland reaching an average high of 70℃F, you may find that some appliances, such as your A.C., get a lot of use. A home warranty can remarkably decrease out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system break down.
Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you time by eliminating the need to research repair people — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to do the necessary repair or replacement.
As for the downsides of home warranties, home system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it's important to understand what each policy covers and doesn't include in the contract.
Also, if you don't maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
Choosing the right home warranty in Oakland for your family comes down to the type of coverage you want, the home warranty provider you opt for, and where you live, among other factors. Plans can vary, so take into consideration the following factors when choosing a home warranty plan:
The top home warranty company in Oakland is Choice Home Warranty. Choice Home Warranty has a large network of experienced repair technicians and a great reputation in the Oakland area.
A home warranty plan protects against the normal wear of systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in case of a situation like a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which can be a threat in Oakland.
A home warranty policy can help investors, homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, and homeowners. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
Generally a home warranty lasts for a year and you can renew it every year. In Oakland where many rely on A.C., renewing your policy could help mitigate large, unexpected expenses if your HVAC system needs repairs.
Most home warranty plans will cover replacement costs in addition to repair costs. How much the coverage cap is varies from one plan to the next. Your home warranty will give you some money towards a replacement but the entire replacement may not be paid for.
A home warranty policy can cost on average around $300 to $800 a year in Oakland. Our high-rated home warranty providers' 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 less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly. For example, the warranty might cost $50 per month or $570 for 13 months. In this example, choosing the annual plan over monthly payments saves you $80. The key is to compare plans to determine what you're really getting for the price.
When living in a town like Oakland, you may be wondering if problems like natural disasters will be covered under a home warranty. Home warranties generally don't cover damage from lack of proper maintenance, natural disasters, or intentional breakage.
