Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
With hot summers in Pasadena, your home systems can experience quite a bit of wear and tear. There’s nothing worse than having your air conditioning go out in the middle of summer. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and safeguard your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
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 Pasadena. Read on for our top provider 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 for Pasadena residents. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. The 3 policies that Liberty offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
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 typically about $3,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full review of Liberty Home Guard.
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 for Pasadena residents. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 policies that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
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 typically about $3,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 Pasadena residents. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The 3 policies that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
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 typically about $2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 is the most customizable home warranty for Pasadena residents. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 policies that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
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 typically about $2,500 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Pasadena residents. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, 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 policies that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
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 typically about $1,500 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Pasadena residents. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 policies that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
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 typically about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Pasadena residents. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The 2 policies that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
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 typically about $2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 | $6,215 |
| Heating | $4,143 |
| Electrical | $622 |
| Toilets | $518 |
| Washer/Dryer | $829 |
| Plumbing | $622 |
| Oven | $1,657 |
| Fridge | $622 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Pasadena homeowners in reducing the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind by helping avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect many home systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include washers, garbage disposals, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, and others. Protected systems include air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and electrical. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Pasadena homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only help pay for repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several key considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty plans can have major differences in covered items. Most plans provide protection for heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive options also extend protection to other items such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Look for providers with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per repair request filed. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for providers with more affordable 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 rating gives insight into things such as contractor quality, claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Complimentary ratings and reviews indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential companies to learn the number of repair specialists they have in Pasadena and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks raise the chance of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Home warranty providers often include perks such as coverage for smart home devices, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Additional perks maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Home warranty policies are a great way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Pasadena hitting an average high of 79℃F, you may find that some appliances, such as your air conditioner, get a lot of use. A home warranty can considerably bring down out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system stop working.
In addition, having a home warranty can save you time by removing the need to research contractors — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the repair or replacement. A home warranty can also have value in other ways. For example, some policies can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
Home warranties also have some drawbacks. Although it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a service technician who does the repair for you, some may not like this, and they may want to choose their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty plans let you choose a contractor.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those due to natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the impacted systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Pasadena can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also reduce your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues with systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different insurance that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which can be a concern in Pasadena. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty policy can help investors, home sellers, real estate agents, homeowners, and homebuyers. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty plan will cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you need 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.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
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 is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Pasadena, where the median value of a home is $218,248, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
