Interested in protecting the normal wear and tear of your appliances in California? We at ReviewHomeWarranties.com can help you find the best home warranty company for you after collecting information from 68+ sources—including company websites, consumer reports like the Better Business Bureau and Yelp — and analyzed it. This essential guide will inform you on the best home warranty for a CA resident and what you should look for when purchasing a plan. Below we present the best home warranty companies in California. Keep reading to learn more!
Best Home Warranty Companies in California
- Get $50 off
- Lower chance of claim denial
- 24/7 service calls and online service
- Large and established firm
- Choose your own service fee!
- Market veteran
- $175 off + 2 months free
- FREE Roof Leak Coverage
- Good selection of plans
- High contractor professionalism
- $0 transfer fee
- First 30 days: Free cancellation
- Get $100 Off Most Popular Plan!
- Industry-leading 180-day workmanship guarantee
- $500 Homeowner insurance deductible reimbursement
- 18,000 reliable & fast local technicians
- 24/7 customer service
- Low cancellation fee
- Best Customer Service 2020
- $100 Instant Online Discount
- Plans from $25/m
- Automatically renewed policy
- 24/7 service calls
- Lower chance of claim denial
- Market veteran
- Fewer contractors available
- Great coverage plans
- Lower chance of claim denial
- Choose your own service fee!
- Tricky terms and conditions
- Not available in all states
- Choose your own service fee!
- 24/7 service calls
- Market veteran
- Delays in repairs reported
- Unexpected fees reported
- Higher chance of claim denial
- Low contractor ability reported
Disclosure: ReviewHomeWarranties.com has referral agreements with some of the home warranty companies presented on our lists throughout this website, including our the above rankings. Referral income which we generate through these agreements helps us keep the content free of ads and accessible.
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.
Homebuyers
The best home warranty companies in California customize their programs to fit the needs of every client. For first-time homebuyers who don’t have any experience with home warranties, companies like Select Home Warranty offer basic coverage that includes a limited number of home systems and appliances. This approach gives them an opportunity to try all home warranty benefits without investing too much money. In some cases, the homebuyers get their home warranties transferred from the previous homeowners. Sometimes, they get it as a housewarming gift from their real estate agents.
Read Also: What Are The Top Companies For First Time Buyers?
Homeowners
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. In addition, many home warranty companies in California offer coverage for such items as swimming pools, roofs, extra refrigerators, and built-in vacuum cleaners.
Top 5 Best Home Warranty Companies in California
- American Home Shield (Best Overall)
- Select Home Warranty (Editor's Choice)
- Cinch Home Warranty (Most Affordable)
- First American Home Warranty
- 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
Home sellers
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).
Real estate agents
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 homebuyers continue to extend their home warranty plans in California because they like having their home systems and appliances insured or they can switch to more comprehensive plans that cover additional home systems and appliances.
Which One Is Better: Home Appliance Insurance or Manufacturer's Warranty?
Once a homeowner decides to upgrade the home appliances, the question arises, which warranty is better, a home appliance insurance or a 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 the most important factors is the age of the house. Most brand new houses come with a warranty from the developer, but as soon as this warranty expires, it is time to purchase coverage from a home warranty service provider. It is important to remember that a home warranty cannot be combined with any other warranty or insurance. In case the warranty from the developer is not provided or is too short, the best home warranty companies in California provide a new construction home warranty.
So, even if you live in an older house but just updated your appliances, an appliance home warranty will not be useful for you because all brand new appliances are usually covered under a manufacturer's warranty. In this case, many companies, including 2-10 Home Warranty, offer plans that include mostly home systems: air conditioning, heating, ductwork, plumbing, and electric system. Once your manufacturer's warranty expires, you will be able to switch to a combo plan, which covers both home systems and appliances.
Best Home Warranty In California?
Out of all the home warranties in California, our top pick goes to American Home Shield. Why? Because they are among the lowest in claim denial, have 24/7 support, and provide highly customizable plans to fit your needs as a homeowner in California.
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, where the weather is hot, 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.
Read Also: What Are The Best Home Warranty Companies For A Heat Pump?
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).
Top 5 Best Home Warranty Companies in California
American Home Shield: Best Overall
American Home Shield is an award-winning home warranty service provider. Marking 48 years in the home warranty industry, AHS has proven to be an affordable and credible home warranty company that has spread its roots across the USA to 49/50 states.
While most reputable warranty companies shy away from the state, American Home Shield has a firm ground, making it the best home warranty company in California.
What American Home Shield Plans Are Available in California?
The home warranty provider has three plan options to ensure comprehensive coverage for home appliances and systems. There’s a systems plan, one for appliances and a combo plan, which is basically a merger of the other two.
The appliances plan shields the homeowner from the high repair and replacement costs for faulty or damaged appliances. Some of the covered items under this plan include; ranges/ovens/cooktops, built-in microwaves, washers, refrigerators, garage door openers, trash compactors, dryers, built-in food centers, and dishwashers.
The systems plan helps foot the costs for repairing damaged home systems such as; central vacuum, smoke detectors, electrical system, doorbell, ceiling fans, air conditioning, heating systems, water heater, plumbing and stoppages, garbage disposal, hot water dispenser, and ductwork.
The combo plan merges both the systems plan and the appliances plan into one, therefore covering all the listed items.
Seeing that the service fee and monthly premiums are customizable, American Home Shield has a kind of ‘Build Your Own' plan.
You can also get optional coverage for items such as guest unit systems and appliances, septic pump, well pump, home electronics, pool, and spa.
What Is the Cost of an AHS Home Warranty Plan in California?
American Home Shield plans’ pricing is as follows;
- Appliances plan - $49.99 per month
- Systems plan- $49.99 per month
- Combo plan- $59.99 per month
- Service fees- $75- $125 per service call
The national average home warranty cost is between $20- $50 in monthly premiums, while the service fee ranges between $50- $100. Therefore, American Home Shield is an affordable home warranty option for California residents.
Why American Home Shield is the Best Home Warranty Company in California
- Offers the most generous cap limits
- Offers 24/7 customer service
- Does not require home inspection for provision of home warranty
- Customizable plans
- Contract is transferable
- 30 days waiting period
Select Home Warranty
Do you ever wonder who’ll cover for items in that mobile home you’ve always wanted to live in, or maybe that condo you also dream about? Well, the good news is, Select Home Warranty does!
Their home warranty plans cover everyone from homeowners to sellers and landlords.
The New Jersey-based service provider is not as old as American Home Shield. Still, it has strived to penetrate into the home warranty industry and managed to serve millions of Americans in 46/ 50 states.
What Select Home Warranty Plans Are Available in California?
There are three plans to choose from Select Home Warranty; The gold care plan, which only caters to systems; the bronze care plan to cater for appliances; and a platinum plan which combines the gold and bronze plans to form one comprehensive plan.
The bronze care plan comprises appliances including; clothes washer, cooktop/ stove/oven, built-in microwave oven, clothes dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, and garbage disposal.
On the other hand, the gold care plan will cover major home systems such as; ductwork, electrical system, plumbing system, heating system, water heater, air conditioning, and cooling.
The home warranty provider also offers optional add-ons such as pool, roof leak, stand-alone freezer, spa, sump pump, central vacuum, septic system, well pump, and lawn sprinkler system.
What Is the Cost of a Select Home Warranty Plan in California?
Bronze care plan- $35.83
Gold care plan- $35.83
Platinum care plan- $37.50
Service fee- $75 per service request
Optional add-ons cost;
- Sump Pump – $3.33 per month
- Pool – $8.33 per month
- Spa – $5.83 per month
- Lawn Sprinkler System – $5.83 per month
- Central Vacuum – $3.33 per month
- Stand Alone Freezer – $3.33 per month
- Roof Leak- Free
- Well Pump – $3.33 per month
- Septic System – $5.83 per month
Why Select Home Warranty is one of the Best Home Warranty Companies in California
- One of the cheapest home warranty companies
- Numerous add-on options
- Offers free roof coverage
- Numerous offers and discounts
- Provides cover for mobile houses
Cinch Home Services
Are you wondering what to do with old appliances or those that other home warranty companies won’t cover due to pre-existing conditions? Well, Cinch got you covered!
This is perhaps the only home warranty provider that covers appliances and systems that have rusted or corroded and those with pre-existing conditions. Sit tight; you’ll love reading about this amazing company.
Formerly Cross Country Home Services, Cinch Home Services is one of the biggest and oldest home warranty companies, with about 40 years of experience.
Unlike most of its competitors with 30- 90 days workmanship guarantees, Cinch Home Warranty offers you up to 180 days. Such great convenience! The company is also spread across 48/50 states of the USA; this is excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
What Cinch Home Services Plans Are Available in California?
Talking of coverage, Cinch Home Services offers the most comprehensive coverage with numerous items per plan.
Their home protection plans include; an appliances plan, a built-in systems plan, and a complete home plan.
The CHS appliance plan consists of built-in food centers, clothes dryers, dishwashers, ranges, wall ovens, refrigerators, built-in trash compactors, built-in microwaves, clothes washers, range exhaust hoods, freestanding ice makers, and cooktops.
Their built-in systems plan covers major systems such as; electrical systems, heating system with ductwork, smoke detectors, garbage disposals, toilets, air conditioning with ductwork, central vacuums, garage door openers, doorbells, jetted bath/ built-in whirlpool, hot water dispenser, homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement, attic/ceiling fans, plumbing system, water heater, and sump pump.
The Cinch Home Service plan combines both the built-in systems plan and the appliances plan to come up with a comprehensive plan.
Since most of the usual add options items for most home warranty providers such as ice makers and water dispensers are incorporated in the plans, there are no add-on options.
What Is the Cost of a CHS Home Warranty Plan in California?
The principle of lower service fees with higher monthly premiums like in American Home Shield also applies here.
When you pay $100 in service fees, you’ll have to pay $44.99 per month for the appliances plan, or $51.99 for the systems plan, or $61.99 for the complete home protection plan.
If you opt to pay $125 per service call, the appliances plan will cost you $39.99 per month, while the systems plan will cost you $45.99 per month, with the complete home protection going for $55.99.
Should you opt for a $150 service fee, then the appliances plan goes for only $34.99 per month, the systems plan at $39.99 per month, and the complete home protection plan at $49.99 per month.
Why Cinch Home Services is one of the Best Home Warranty Companies in California
- Easily customizable plans
- Comprehensive coverage on home appliances and systems
- Covers items with pre-existing conditions
- 180-days workmanship guarantee
- A- rating on BBB (Better Business Bureau)
First American Home Warranty
For 35 years now, First American Home Warranty has continued to serve Americans in 34 states across the USA as one of the cheapest home warranty companies.
What First American Home Warranty Plans Are Available in California?
The home service provider offers its customers two main plans; the basic plan and the premier plan.
The basic plan covers the major appliances such as microwave, oven, range, cooktop, garbage disposal, refrigerator, trash compactor, clothes dryer, and washing machine.
The premier plan, on the other hand, covers all the home appliances listed in the basic plan and major home systems. These include water heaters, electrical systems, garage door opener, plumbing, central vacuum system, ductwork, plumbing stoppages, and heating system.
This home warranty company also offers additional coverage for non-essential house appliances and systems like central air conditioning system, secondary refrigeration, well pump, first-class upgrade, spa, and pool equipment.
The first-class upgrade offers policyholders perks such as;
- If cranes are used during the installation of appliances, the home warranty plan covers the costs
- During the removal of appliances or systems in case they need to be replaced, the home warranty plan also covers the costs.
What Is the Cost of a First American Home Warranty Plan in California?
Basic plan-$32 per month
Premier plan- $45.50 per month
Service fees- $75 per service request
Optional Add-ons pricing;
- Central air conditioning: $9
- First Class Upgrade: $9
- Additional refrigeration: $4
- Well pump: $7
- HVAC tune-up: $2
- Pool/spa equipment: $17
- Septic tank pumping/system: $7
Why First American Home Warranty is one of the Best Home Warranty Companies in California
- Affordable plans
- 24/7 customer service
- Covers appliances/ systems that malfunction due to improper installation
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
This home warranty is the best in terms of offering consumer-specific plans. Their plans are ideal for homeowners, realtors, and builders.
With over 40 years of experience, the company covers over 6 million homes across the USA.
What 2-10 HBW Plans Are Available in California?
This warranty provider offers various home warranty coverage options that include Simply Kitchen, Simply HVAC, Complete Home, Essential Home, and Pinnacle Home.
For homeowners, the simply kitchen and simply HVAC plans
Let’s have a look at the covered items in each of the plans
Simply Kitchen @ $27 per month
Special Offers;
- Appliance Color Match
- Even-If Service Fee Guarantee
- Appliance Discount Program
- Appliance Replacement Offer
Appliances:
- Refrigerator with crusher/ Ice Maker
- Range/Oven/Cooktop
- Dishwasher
- Built-in microwave
Essential Home @46 per month
Special Offers
- Appliance Color Match
- Even-If Service Fee Guarantee
- Appliance Discount Program
- Appliance Replacement Offer
Items
- Refrigerator with Ice Maker/Crusher
- Heating and Cooling
- Heating System
- Dishwasher
- Air Conditioning and Heat Pump
- Built-in Microwave
- Range/Oven/Cooktop
- Thermostats
Complete Home @ $55 per month
Special Offers
- Appliance Color Match
- Even-If Service Fee Guarantee
- Appliance Discount Program
- Appliance Replacement Offer
Items
- Sump Pump
- Outlets
- Heating System
- Heating and Cooling
- Air Conditioning and Heat Pump
- Panels
- Toilets
- Water Heater
- Valves
- Range/Oven/Cooktop
- Pipe Leaks or Breaks
- Drain Line Stoppages
- Switches
- Dishwasher
- Pressure Regulators
- Electrical Wiring
- Built-in Microwave
- Thermostats
- Refrigerator with crusher or Ice Maker
Simply HVAC
Special Offers
- Even-If Service Fee Guarantee
- Appliance Discount Program
Items
- Air Conditioning and Heat Pump
- Heating System
- Pipe Leaks or Breaks
- Thermostats
Pinnacle Home
Special Offers
Items
- Switches
- Polybutylene and PEX Plumbing Systems
- Drain Line Stoppages
- Thermostats
- Dishwasher
- Doorbell
- Attic and Bathroom Exhaust Fans
- Range/Oven/Cooktop
- Water Heater
- Haul Away/Disposal Fees
- Heating System
- Valves
- Filters
- Toilets
- Outlets
- Burglar and Fire Alarms
- Crane Cost
- Pipe Leaks or Breaks
- Panels
- Concrete Encased/Concealed Wiring
- Heating and Cooling
- Interior and Exterior Hose Bibs
- Refrigerated Recovery and Recharge
- Concrete Encased/Concealed Plumbing
- Pressure Regulators
- Electrical Wiring
- Refrigerator (w/ Ice Maker/Crusher
- Sump Pump
- Air Conditioning and Heat Pump
- Built-in Microwave
Optional Add-ons include;
- Luxury Package
- Pool/Spa Equipment
- Washer and Dryer
- Septic System
- HVAC Tune-Up
- Additional Refrigeration
- Extended Pipe Leak
- Water Softener
- Garage Door/Opener
- Plumbing and electrical
- HVAC Surplus
- Well Pump
- Roof Leak
Home warranty regulations in California
Before you buy a home warranty it is important to know the home insurance/ warranty regulations in a given state. 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.
Dreaming about the California lifestyle? Check out this video from the Wall Street Journal about housing costs in CA.
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!
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