Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
With hot summers in San Marcos, your home systems can go through 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 policy can help protect you by cutting the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be a challenge because of the sheer number of options available. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the top home warranty companies in San Marcos.
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 offers the most trustworthy home warranty for San Marcos residents. 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. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for San Marcos homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage limits come out to around $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 offers the best overall home warranty for San Marcos residents. 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. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for San Marcos homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to around $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty for San Marcos residents. 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. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for San Marcos homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 San Marcos residents. 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. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for San Marcos homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for San Marcos residents. 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. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for San Marcos homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage limits come out to around $1,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for San Marcos residents. 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. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for San Marcos 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. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to around $1,000-$2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for San Marcos residents. 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. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for San Marcos homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 | $6,100 |
Heating | $4,067 |
Electrical | $610 |
Toilets | $508 |
Washer/Dryer | $813 |
Plumbing | $610 |
Oven | $1,627 |
Fridge | $610 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists San Marcos homeowners lower the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty policy gives homeowners peace of mind since it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include dishwashers, microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dryers, and more. Covered systems are usually air conditioning, electrical, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require San Marcos homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic policies typically cover plumbing, AC, heating, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover spas, roof leaks, well pumps, and pools. Look for companies with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using companies with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, contractor expertise, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about companies. Good feedback and ratings suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in San Marcos to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Certain home warranty providers offer perks such as discounts on maintenance, protection for smart home devices, and energy-efficient upgrades. These provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks help improve your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in San Marcos can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Purchasing a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks unexpectedly.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of vetting service technicians on your own, home warranty providers do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
As for the downsides of home warranties, coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to review what each policy covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in San Marcos can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects a home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in San Marcos.
Homebuyers, home sellers, landlords, real estate agents, and homeowners 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.
The different kinds of home warranties in San Marcos include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers your systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the homeowner pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may purchase a home warranty policy 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 San Marcos is $346,752, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.