How to find a home warranty company in San Diego
With around 266 days of sunshine, San Diego is an amazing city for those who love warm weather. Think palm-tree-lined beaches, countless outdoor activities, and exciting music and food venues.
Just keep in mind that the cost of living here is pretty steep.
In fact, the median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San Diego is $2,430, while the median new home price is about $900,000. In comparison, the national median home price is less than half that, at $389,500.
So, if you’re a homeowner in San Diego, you already spend a lot of money on housing. The last thing you want is your home appliances and built-in systems to unexpectedly break down and add to your financial to-do list.
This is where a home warranty comes in handy.
A home warranty (sometimes referred to as a home service or home protection plan) typically covers repairs and replacement costs from normal wear and tear of certain major home appliances. These include washing machines, dryers, garbage disposals and refrigerators, as well as major systems like plumbing, electrical and air conditioning.
If you’re living in San Diego, you might wonder if a home protection plan is worth it. To help, we’ll take you through what to look for in a reliable home warranty company in San Diego and how to find the right one for you.
What’s the best home warranty company in San Diego?
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to protecting your home. Instead, the best home warranty company for you depends on your individual preferences and needs. For example, some homeowners might want home warranty coverage for certain parts of their home, while others might prefer a comprehensive warranty plan.
Here are some things to consider when looking for a home warranty company in San Diego:
- Your budget: Choose a plan that provides coverage for many of your major appliances and built-in systems but still within your budget. Most importantly, check if it covers older appliances and home systems, since those are more likely to break down than newer ones. For example, the Appliances plan from Cinch Home Services covers most major appliances, regardless of age or make.
- Quick response time: The biggest advantage of buying a home warranty is the access to trained and experienced service providers. The home warranty company should ideally mention how long it will take to send a technician to your home to repair or replace the appliance or system. Choose one that offers the quickest response time in your area.
- Experience with specific brands: Choosing a home protection company with experience repairing appliances and systems from brands you own is important. If most of your appliances are from Samsung, for example, you should ask the warranty company if its technicians are certified to handle Samsung equipment.
- Inclusions and exclusions: Many warranty plans don’t cover some appliances or systems. Read the fine print so you buy a plan that covers what you need. Many plans cover major kitchen and home appliance repairs and replacements. Also, check if the warranty covers built-in systems like septic systems and electrical systems. A company might refuse to cover appliances and systems with pre-existing conditions or set overall coverage limits.
The good news is that Cinch makes it easy to find the right home warranty plan for you, which is why many San Diego residents opt for a Cinch home protection plan. With three plans that cover the repair and replacement of many parts of the home, you’ll get guaranteed service and peace of mind.
What to look for when choosing a home warranty in California
Purchasing a home warranty plan is usually an annual commitment, so make sure you select a well-regarded and trusted company. You don’t want to hand your money to a business that will provide shoddy service and try to charge you more at every opportunity.
Thanks to the internet, you can learn quite a bit about different warranty companies and their available plans. Here’s what to look for when considering a home warranty company in San Diego.
Home warranty plan options
Generally, home warranty companies offer a few coverage options. These will likely include an appliances-only basic plan, a systems-only plan, and a plan that covers both.
Usually, covered items include major appliances and built-in systems like washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioning systems (HVAC), garbage disposals and garage door openers. The home warranty company might offer add-on coverage like pools, spas, well pumps, and access to premier plans that cover permits and code upgrades.
For example, Cinch offers three home protection plans: an Appliances plan, a Built-in Systems plan and a Complete Home plan.
The Appliances plan includes:
- Clothes dryers
- Clothes washers
- Cooktops
- Dishwashers
- Food centers (built-in)
- Freestanding ice makers
- Microwaves (built-in)
- Range exhaust hoods
- Ranges
- Refrigerators
- Trash compactors (built-in)
- Wall ovens
The Built-in Systems plan includes:
- Air conditioning (including ductwork)
- Heating system (including ductwork)
- Plumbing system
- Electrical system
- Smoke detectors
- Sump pump
- Instant hot/cold water dispenser
- Water heater
- Whirlpool/jetted tubs (built-in)
- Attic fans
- Ceiling fans
- Central vacuums
- Doorbells
- Garage door openers
- Garbage disposals
- Toilets
The Complete Home plan includes everything from the Appliances plan and the Built-in Systems plan. Plus, Cinch offers a homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement that you can claim once a year when you go with the Complete Home plan.
No matter the plan, homeowners get a 180-day workmanship guarantee, protection for unknown pre-existing conditions, rust and corrosion coverage, and discounts on new appliances.
The reputation of the home warranty company
One of the easiest ways to judge a company’s reputation is by checking its home warranty reviews. You can typically find reviews on the company’s website and social media pages (e.g., Facebook and Instagram), and on review sites like Consumer Affairs.
Unbiased reviews can help customers judge the company’s service quality. All companies receive a few negative reviews in the course of their existence. The difference lies in how a company chooses to take feedback.
Reviews can help determine whether a warranty company is likely to provide good customer service and improve on its mistakes. If a home warranty service has a history of making false promises and delivering second-rate service, there’s likely an angry customer review or two out there.
A service network of professionals in the San Diego area
Consider a home warranty from a company with a network of trusted service professionals in San Diego, like Cinch. The top warranty companies usually ensure that only licensed and experienced technicians visit your home for repairs or replacements.
For example, Cinch has a network of thousands of service technicians who have undergone extensive background checks and are screened for licensing and insurance.
What home issues might be especially important for San Diego residents?
There are a number of factors that San Diego residents should consider before buying a home warranty plan.
- Overheating: When the temperature goes up, you might prefer staying indoors with your air conditioner on for long stretches. More usage might mean A/C breakdowns and servicing needs. Similarly, opening and closing the refrigerator too often can cause it to stop cooling.
- Leaks: It’s important to watch out for leaks in washing machines, dryers, refrigerators and dishwashers. We tend to ignore small leaks, which only results in bigger problems. Clogged or punctured drains can cause leaks, seriously impacting an appliance’s performance.
- Noise: Appliances aren’t entirely silent, but an unusual noise can indicate a problem in their functioning. For example, if your washing machine or garbage disposal starts making loud noises, an object could be stuck somewhere. It could also be due to overloading the appliances beyond their capacity.
- Clogging: HVAC units or air conditioners can often collect dust, dirt and hair in their filters. Homeowners often forget to clean and change these filters. This results in low-quality cooling or heating.
How much does a home warranty cost in California?
Warranty plan pricing depends on your chosen plan and where you live in San Diego.
For example, Cinch has three plans: one covers appliances, one covers built-in systems, and another covers both. Cinch allows you to choose between a monthly or an annual payment plan.
In addition, Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee. If an appliance or built-in system continues to face the same problem again and again, Cinch will take care of it at no added cost.
When choosing a plan, keep in mind that warranty companies also charge service fees and set coverage caps.
Is it worth getting a home warranty in San Diego?
A home warranty may seem expensive at first glance. But when you consider that you should save 1% to 4% of your home’s value each year for maintenance and repair costs, warranties can be a smart investment.
Many home appliances and systems will eventually break down or give you trouble. A warranty gives you a plan for dealing with these issues. Instead of dishing out large sums of money every few months for repairs, warranty plans allow you to account for those expenses.
In addition, a home protection plan can give you peace of mind. Knowing that you can make a service call through the home warranty company can be a huge relief when something goes wrong with a covered appliance or built-in system.
Discover why so many San Diego residents choose Cinch
Unfortunately, things can break down or malfunction due to normal wear and tear. But with coverage from a top home warranty company like Cinch Home Services, you don’t have to worry about repairs or replacements causing a financial emergency.
Faced with a washing machine that won’t spin no matter how many times you switch it on and off? What about your electrical system going on the fritz?
Don’t worry. With a home warranty from Cinch, all you need to do is request service. We’ll send a verified service professional to repair or replace the appliance or system so you can enjoy your home again.
Choose our Appliances plan, Built-in Systems plan or Complete Home plan to get peace of mind while living in sunny San Diego.
Get an instant quote today!