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5 best home warranty companies in Ontario, California

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

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A home warranty provides financial protection if a major home system or appliance suddenly breaks down. For a monthly fee, the warranty company covers repair and replacement costs for items like refrigerators and HVAC units when they break down from normal wear.

Did you know that the typical life span of an HVAC system is seven to 25 years? Other major systems, such as water heaters, only last an average of six to 12 years. Most appliances last just 20 years or fewer, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

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

A standard homeowners insurance policy doesn't cover normal appliance wear and tear. With a plan from one of these home warranty providers, you'll have additional reassurance in case of an unexpected breakdown.

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 Ontario

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

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 plans with a 60-day workmanship guarantee on completed repairs. Compared to other providers in this piece, it also provides the largest number of coverage add-ons – 38 in total.

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

Founded in 1971, American Home Shield was one of the country's first home warranty companies. Today, it offers three coverage plans and six supplementary 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

Roof leak repair coverage is a rare perk that Select offers to its customers. It's also a good company to keep on your shortlist if affordable premiums are your top priority.

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 Ontario

The average cost of a home warranty in Ontario is in line with the national average, running from $40.91 to $77.05 per month. If you prefer to pay an annual premium, expect to pay between $563.62 and $927.43 per year. To calculate national averages, we requested hundreds of quotes using 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

Home warranties protect various home appliances and major systems, but they're not a substitute for homeowners insurance. Below, we'll discuss what's generally included in home warranty coverage and what isn't.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

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

The first category of items a home warranty provides coverage for is major appliances. This covers the following: The second coverage category is major systems, which typically consist of the following:

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

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Like other service contracts, home warranties won't cover certain components or appliances. These are called exclusions. One common exclusion is breakdowns caused by damage outside of normal wear and tear. For example, the warranty would probably not cover an air conditioner malfunctioning due to a dirty air filter, since replacing the filter is a part of routine maintenance. Home warranties also don't cover cosmetic damage, improper system or appliance installation, rust or corrosion damage, acts of nature, preexisting conditions and hazardous waste.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Ontario

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. Most home warranty companies also sell optional add-ons for things like lawn sprinkler systems and central vacuum. Evaluate what add-ons you might need and how much they'll add to the home warranty cost.

How long is my home warranty good for?

Generally, home warranty contracts last for one year after the coverage effective date, which is 30 days after the initial sign-up date. Companies require this 30-day waiting period to prevent customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. You may extend the 12-month policy term by purchasing a multiyear plan.

What contractors do you work with?

Ask potential home warranty companies about their network of local service contractors. A contractor must have the proper local and state licensing to access the company's network. If your area has no in-network contractors nearby, the warranty company may let you choose your own. You can verify a contractor's license by searching the California Contractors State Licensing Board database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Understanding how a company’s claims process works often makes the difference between an approved claim and a denied one. Home warranty providers typically accept claims via an online portal or a 24/7 claims hotline. Typical response times are within one to two days of filing, though there may be processing delays if you file outside normal business hours. Once the provider receives your claim, someone will examine the details 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 contain a clause allowing you to transfer the policy to the new homeowner. Some companies handle the transfer at no charge, though others levy a transfer fee. Sellers can also purchase special home warranty plans that are easily transferred to prospective buyers. This is an easy way to add appeal to your home to your home in a competitive real estate market and give the buyer added confidence.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before finalizing a home warranty, we strongly recommend reading a sample contract. Learning more about the company's terms and conditions will help you determine the best fit. It'll also help you stand up for your rights if you need to file a claim. Keep an eye out for these key terms and clauses in your research:

  • Exclusions: Pay particular attention to the exclusions a company lists in its fine print. For example, most home warranty sample contracts detail component exclusions for every item covered.
  • Cancellation: You'll usually see the warranty company's cancellation policy inside their 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.
  • Service call fee: Just like copays at the doctor or pharmacy, you'll have to pay a service call fee every time you file a home warranty claim. Many providers have fees between $75 and $125 per claim.
  • Coverage limit: Each home warranty has a coverage limit that sets how much a company will cover per individual claim. Warranty contracts could also have annual coverage limits.
  • Workmanship guarantee: Workmanship guarantees help protect you from additional service call fees if an in-network technician doesn't adequately address a covered issue. Most guarantees are 30 days long, but some companies offer longer periods.

Facts about Ontario

Average High in July
99°F
Ontario
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
40°F
Ontario
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
84%
Ontario
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

Our editors may use AI as an input tool to tailor information in local markets. All content goes through a rigorous research and review process led by our team of writers and editors.

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