Home Warranty in California

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.

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?

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 the 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, 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.

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).

Home warranty regulations in California

Before you buy a home warranty it is important to know which authority is regulation its operation. 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!

Read Also: What Are The Best Companies in LA County?

California Home Warranty FAQs

Is a home warranty worth it in California?

What are the best home warranty companies in California?

1. American Home Shield
2. Select Home Warranty
3. Cinch Home Services
4. First American Home Warranty
5. 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

What do home warranties cover?

1. Most Common Coverage

• HVAC (heating and air conditioning) 
• Plumbing system
• Electrical system
• Water heater

• Refrigerator
• Oven / Range / Stove
• Cooktop
• Dishwasher
• Clothes Washer
• Clothes Dryer
• Built-in microwave

2. What some cover

3. What few cover

How much does a home warranty cost in California?

How do I choose a good home warranty?

1. Research like you are doing right now. Make sure the home warranty company is available in California, make sure they cover what’s important to you, and make sure the price makes sense for you. 
2. Get several quotes. You’ve got to shop around for the best deal. You don’t necessarily want to just shop for the lowest price, but get quotes from several companies to compare coverage and price. Read the service contract carefully. 
3. Purchase the plan that works best for you. In most cases, you’ll have 30 days to get a full refund with no added penalty.