Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
With hot summers in San Marcos, 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 is a way to protect your budget from unexpected 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 protection for your home can be difficult, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in San Marcos. 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 San Marcos residents. Liberty has established itself as a company with a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. 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 options for appliance and system coverage.
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. The coverage caps from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is lower than other providers in the San Marcos area.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read our thorough review of Liberty Home Guard to learn more.
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 San Marcos residents. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. 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 options for appliance and system coverage.
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. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is lower than other providers in the San Marcos area.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our thorough review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more.
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 San Marcos 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage.
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. The coverage caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is lower than other providers in the San Marcos area.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read our thorough review of Select Home Warranty to learn more.
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 San Marcos residents. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. 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 options for appliance and system coverage.
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. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is lower than other providers in the San Marcos area.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read our thorough review of American Home Shield to learn more.
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 San Marcos residents. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. 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 options for appliance and system coverage.
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. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is lower than other providers in the San Marcos area.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read our thorough review of First American Home Warranty to learn more.
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 San Marcos residents. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. 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 options for appliance and system coverage.
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. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is lower than other providers in the San Marcos area.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read our thorough review of Cinch Home Services to learn more.
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 San Marcos residents. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. 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 options for appliance and system coverage.
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. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is lower than other providers in the San Marcos area.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read our thorough review of The Home Service Club to learn more.
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 policy that helps San Marcos homeowners in reducing the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear. When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only 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 costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include washers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, microwaves, dryers, dishwashers, and more. Included systems are normally air conditioning, heating, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. San Marcos homeowners should know that most home warranty plans impose 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 natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing, such as:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic plans typically include heating, plumbing, electrical, AC, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover roof leaks, well pumps, pools, and spas. Focus on companies with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet 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 providers with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty provider's reputation gives insight into things such as approval rates, repair timeliness, contractor quality, and customer service. Use review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty businesses have networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair technicians they have in San Marcos and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Wider networks increase the chances of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Home warranty companies often include extras such as maintenance discounts, coverage for smart home devices, and energy efficiency upgrades. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
San Marcos’s hot summers 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 fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and selecting a technician to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Additionally, though it varies by company, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
One of the major drawbacks of a home warranty is not every home system and appliance you care about may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different policies and select one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about these things if you need more information or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in San Marcos. Our high-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's often less expensive 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. A homeowners insurance plan protects the entire home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in San Marcos.
A home warranty plan can help homeowners, home sellers, homebuyers, real estate agents, and investors. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in San Marcos include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers your systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
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 will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In San Marcos, where the median home value is $346,752, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
