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5 best home warranty companies in Indio, California

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

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You might be considering a home warranty to safeguard important home systems and appliances. For a monthly fee, these policies cover repair and replacement costs when items such as AC units and refrigerators break down from normal wear and tear.

Many key home systems break down before hitting the 10 to 15-year mark. HVAC systems typically last just seven to 25 years. The normal lifespan for water heaters is only six to 12 years, and most major appliances today stop working in under 20 years, say the experts at the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

If your Indio house contains any aging dishwashers, furnaces or other appliances, you'll likely face an untimely breakdown. These top home warranty providers offer robust coverage at reasonable prices.

With the scorching summer heat in California, air conditioner breakdowns in Indio are that much more taxing for homeowners. A home warranty from one of the national companies below will give you a budget-friendly path to the future repairs you might need.

Our Top Pick
Provider logo
4.5
Our Rating
  • Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Holds high customer ratings
  • Offers customization with 38 add-ons
Explore Plans
Provider logo
4.4
Our Rating
  • Covers rust and corrosion damage
  • Offers comprehensive coverage limits
  • Provides flexible service fees
$150 Off Any Plan
Explore Plans
Provider logo
3.8
Our Rating
  • Charges low premiums
  • Includes roof-leak coverage
  • Offers solid HVAC coverage
Explore Plans

Find the best home warranty for you in Indio

Here's our list of the best home warranty companies in Indio:

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

Average monthly costs: $22.00 - $80.00

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty pairs its three coverage plans with flexible service call fees. It also offers coverage perks, including an appliance color-match program and an "Even If" service fee guarantee. With this guarantee, 2-10 will refund your service call fee if your covered item can’t be fixed or replaced.

What we like

  • Offers a $25,000 annual coverage cap
  • Pairs plans with a plan-length workmanship guarantee
  • Offers unique perks such as color matching appliance replacements

What we don't like

  • Charges a monthly processing fee if you choose monthly premiums
  • Excludes washer and dryer coverage from most plans
Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard

4.6/5

Average monthly costs: $49.99 - $59.99

Liberty Home Guard offers the largest number of optional add-ons compared to any provider in this article — 38 in total. It also has plans featuring a 60-day workmanship guarantee on completed repairs.

What we like

  • Holds high ratings among customer service reviews
  • Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Offers an extensive list of 40+ add-on coverages
  • Provides an easy claims process

What we don't like

  • Lacks transparency on service call fee pricing
  • Excludes coverage for known or unknown pre-existing conditions
American Home Shield

American Home Shield

4.4/5

Average monthly costs: $29.99 - $89.99

An industry veteran, American Home Shield has been in business since 1971. It provides three coverage plans and six optional add-ons.

What we like

  • Offers generous coverage caps
  • Allows customers to build their own plans
  • Provides the option to choose the service fee you want to pay

What we don't like

  • Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
  • Offers limited add-on options
First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty

4.2/5

Average monthly costs: $47.00 - $87.00

First American is known for its comprehensive appliance coverage caps. With an Essential or Premium plan that has the First American Advantage upgrade, you could also get coverage for miscellaneous components, including appliance knobs and dials.

What we like

  • Allows you to choose your service call fee
  • Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
  • Accepts 24/7 service calls
  • Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair

What we don't like

  • Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
  • Charges higher for coverage compared to other providers
Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty

3.9/5

Average monthly costs: $44.42 - $47.75

Select Home Warranty plans have low premiums, and each one includes coverage for roof leaks.

What we like

  • Provides low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
  • Includes two extra months of coverage in annual signup
  • Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option

What we don't like

  • Has a $75 cancellation fee
  • Low coverage caps

Cost of a home warranty in Indio

The cost of a home warranty is in line with the national average, and it heavily relies on how frequently you want to make payments. The national average is roughly $40.91 to $77.05 per month, or $563.62 to $927.43 per year. We calculated the average by requesting hundreds of quotes using 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

With a home warranty, you'll have extra coverage for major systems and home appliances. However, it's not a substitute for homeowners insurance, and there are some exclusions to coverage. Below, we'll talk about what's generally covered and what's not.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

  • Built-in microwaves
  • Clothes dryers
  • Dishwashers
  • Cooktops
  • Refrigerators
  • Washing machines

Major appliances make up the first group of items that a home warranty protects. This includes the following items: The second category of protected items under a home warranty is major systems. Not every plan covers the same major systems. However, you can find coverage for any of these items:

  • Central vacuum
  • Electrical
  • Water heater
  • Plumbing
  • HVAC

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Each home warranty has exclusions, or things it will not cover. Your contract will clearly specify each exclusion, so read carefully before you sign. One thing that home warranties don't cover is damage outside of normal wear and tear. For example, the warranty company could deny a claim for an AC breakdown if a dirty air filter is the cause. This is because replacing the air filter is a part of routine maintenance.

    Additionally, home warranties won't cover the following:
  • Rust or corrosion damage
  • Preexisting conditions
  • Hazardous waste
  • Improper system or appliance installation
  • Cosmetic damage
  • Acts of nature

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Indio

We recommend asking each home warranty provider you're considering the following questions about their plans, terms and policies.

What items will my policy cover?

Determine what appliances and systems you need covered before getting home warranty quotes. This way, you can find a company that includes them. Some companies separate appliance and system coverage. Many companies also sell optional add-ons, covering things like spas and septic tank pumping. Consider whether any add-ons fit your situation.

How long is my home warranty good for?

Standard home warranty contracts are valid for 12 months from the coverage effective date, which is usually 30 days after the initial sign-up date. Companies implement this 30-day waiting period to prevent customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. Purchasing a multiyear plan extends protection beyond the standard 12-month term.

What contractors do you work with?

When you're researching home warranty providers, be sure to ask about which service contractors they use. Each repair team must follow specific licensing requirements and standards to get repair approval from the warranty company. If there are no partner contractors in your area, the warranty terms might allow you to pick your own repair company. You can verify a contractor's license by searching the California Contractors State Licensing Board database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Knowing more about the home warranty company's claims process can improve your chances of getting a claim approved. Most companies accept claims online or via a 24/7 phone line. Once you file, the company will aim to reply within one to two days. Filing outside normal business hours may lead to processing delays. Once the provider receives your claim, someone will review it and connect you with an in-network service provider. The contractor will book an appointment with you, diagnose the problem, and then request final approval from the home warranty provider before starting repairs.

Can I transfer my policy to the next owner of my home?

If you need to move, most home warranty contracts include a clause permitting you to transfer the policy to the new homeowner. Some companies handle the transfer for free, though others levy a transfer fee. Some home warranty companies also offer special coverage plans that are easily transferred to prospective buyers. Home sellers buy these home warranty plans to enhance their home's appeal.

Home warranty contract fine print

To finalize your research, we recommend reading the home warranty provider’s detailed terms and sample contract before purchasing a plan. Knowing the company’s terms and conditions can help you decide if it’s the right one for your needs. It'll also help you stand up for your rights if you need to file a claim. Below are several terms you should search for while reviewing the contract:

  • Workmanship guarantee: Most workmanship guarantees last for 30 days from a warranty repair, though some companies offer longer guarantee periods. If you have more issues with an appliance that an in-network technician recently attempted to repair for you, the home warranty company will not assess an extra service call fee for a new claim.
  • Exclusions: Even if an appliance is covered under your home warranty, it could still have applicable exclusions for specific parts. A sample contract should specifically list these exclusions.
  • Service call fee: The service call fee is how much you'll pay the home warranty company or service provider whenever you file a claim. Fees typically vary between $75 and $125 per claim.
  • Coverage limit: Each home warranty has a coverage limit that limits the total dollar amount that the company will pay per claim. There might also be an annual coverage limit or other stipulations.
  • Cancellation: You'll typically find the warranty company's cancellation policy within the sample contract fine print. Depending on the company, if you cancel within the first 30 days of enrollment, you might receive a full refund of the entire premium.

Facts about Indio

Average High in July
99°F
Indio
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
43°F
Indio
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
86%
Indio
69%
National Average
Our Top Pick
Provider logo
4.5
Our Rating
  • Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Holds high customer ratings
  • Offers customization with 38 add-ons
Explore Plans
Provider logo
4.4
Our Rating
  • Covers rust and corrosion damage
  • Offers comprehensive coverage limits
  • Provides flexible service fees
$150 Off Any Plan
Explore Plans
Provider logo
3.8
Our Rating
  • Charges low premiums
  • Includes roof-leak coverage
  • Offers solid HVAC coverage
Explore Plans

Our methodology for selecting home warranty providers

We review national home warranty providers against our full home warranty methodology. We score warranty providers based on coverage options and limits, price, brand reputation, customer service, extra features and availability.

Contact us at feedback@homefront.usatoday.com if you have questions or feedback on this article

Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top

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