Home Warranty in California
Among the dozens of home warranty companies in California, finding the best one might be a challenge. This is why we collect information from multiple sources—including the company’s website and representatives, consumer report sites such as the Better Business Bureau and Yelp — and analyze it. Below we present the best home warranty companies in California.
Best Home Warranty Companies in California
- Excellent BBB rating B+
- Market veteran
- Large and established firm
- Low optional coverage costs
- Emergency service available
- Free cancellation within 30 days
- 24/7 service calls
- Great annual promotions
- Plans under $30/month
- High contractor professionalism
- Quick replacement payments
- First 30 days: Free cancellation
- Excellent BBB rating A
- Market veteran
- Large and established firm
- Different plan types available
- Emergency service available
- Free cancellation within 30 days
- Excellent BBB rating A+
- Market veteran
- Great coverage plans
- Unexpected fees reported
- Poor communication reported
- Market veteran
- Large and established firm
- Different plan types available
- Tricky terms and conditions
- Incomprehensive coverage
- 1 day to submit a claim
Who Needs A Home Warranty in California?
From Sacramento to San Diego, home warranties have been available to the residents of California for more than 40 years. Old Republic Home Protection, for example, has been serving California homeowners since 1974. Today, home warranties in this state are offered by multiple companies, and some of them, including First American Home Buyers Protection and Fidelity National Home Warranty, are incorporated in California.
The best home warranty companies in California customize their programs to fit the needs of every client. For first-time home buyers who don’t have any experience with home warranties, companies like HomeServeUSA offer basic coverage that includes a limited number of home systems and appliances.
The majority of experienced homeowners prefer to purchase more comprehensive home warranty plans, such as the Premier Plan offered by First American Home Warranty. This plan covers all of the essential home systems such as air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical system, as well as kitchen appliances.
Home sellers in California prefer to buy a home warranty if their house was built more than ten years ago. This covers the house while it’s listed on the market, and can then be transferred to the buyer for their first year of ownership. Many home buyers then extend the coverage or switch to a more comprehensive plan available to homeowners (but not to home sellers). One of these plans is the Buyer 7 Star Upgrade offered by Home Security of America.
Real estate agents often purchase a home warranty to give it as an incentive to home buyers. After the initial one-year coverage expires, many home buyers continue to extend their home warranty plans in California because they like having their home systems and appliances insured.
Which One Is Better: Home Appliance Insurance or Manufacturer's Warranty?
Almost every kitchen or laundry appliance that you buy from a retailer has a manufacturer's warranty that usually lasts 12 months. As soon as these 12 months expire, you have an option of extending the manufacturer's warranty or purchase a home warranty for your appliances. So, which is better, a home warranty or an extended manufacturer's warranty? To answer this question, please click this button to read our research article:
What You Should Think About Before Purchasing a Home Warranty in California?
There are multiple factors that you should consider before purchasing a home warranty in California. One of them is the age of the house. Most brand new houses come with the warranty from the developer, but as soon as this warranty expires, it is time to purchase coverage from a home warranty company. It is important to remember that a home warranty cannot be combined with any other warranty or insurance.
Another factor is the location of your house. Although the climate in most parts of California is nice and warm, it may vary a lot from north to south and east to west. When selecting home warranty programs in California, you should take into consideration the climate of the region, as it may influence the normal wear and tear of your home systems and appliances.
In the south, for example, it is crucial that home warranty plans in California would include maximum coverage for the air conditioning system. One of the best companies that offer excellent A/C coverage for California residents is America’s 1st Choice Home Club.
Proximity to the ocean brings humid conditions which may impact the work of electrical systems and home appliances, so think about using companies like First American Home Warranty that have the best coverage for home appliances.
In the mountains, it is a good idea to select those home warranty plans in California that cover as much of the plumbing and septic system as possible. The best home warranty companies in Northern California, which includes the San Francisco Bay Area, make sure that their plans cover heating systems and water heaters to maximum capacity.
It is always recommended to read through each of the California home warranty company reviews appearing on this page to understand what are the pros and cons of each company. Although the reviews are not specific to California, the coverage and plans are similar regardless of where you reside (as long as the company can service you).
Home warranty regulations in California
All home warranty companies in California are regulated by the California Department of Insurance. In San Francisco, home warranty providers must receive a permit at the Department's San Francisco Legal Division office. All the companies reviewed on our site are fully licensed to operate in the listed states.
What we have to say in conclusion
Whether you are a homeowner, home seller, or home buyer, it is always a good idea to have your home systems and appliances covered under a home warranty. It can help you save money on unexpected repairs and replacements and preserve your peace of mind. Before you buy a home warranty, it is important to take into consideration the age of the house, which home systems and appliances you want to be covered, and in what part of California the house is located. The climate may have a big influence on the normal wear and tear of various parts of the house.
We hope we helped you find the best home warranty in California based on your individual needs. If you haven't been able to find a company that you like, please contact us so we can add more selections to this page!
