Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
The cost of maintaining a home in San Bruno can be costly, particularly as your home ages and your appliances and systems need to be updated. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and give you some peace of mind.
The home warranty market has a variety of providers — all with different offerings — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in San Bruno.
Over 10 years of experience
24/7 customer service team
Home inspections aren’t required
90-day repair guarantee
Plans aren’t customizable
Customers can’t choose their own contractor
Not available in washington
Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty for San Bruno residents. Choice offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for San Bruno homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For more information, read our Choice Home Warranty Review.
Basic Plan
Total Plan
Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Two months of free coverage
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
90-day repair guarantee
Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty for San Bruno residents. Select offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, it also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for San Bruno homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For more information, read our Select Home Warranty Review.
Bronze Care Plan
Gold Care Plan
Platinum Care Plan
The oldest and most trusted company in the industry
Allows customers to build their own plans
Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay
Broad coverage on up to 33 appliances and systems
Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
Doesn’t provide coverage in alaska
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty for San Bruno residents. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for San Bruno homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For more information, read our American Home Shield Review.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
Established company with a bbb accreditation
Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
24/7 service calls available
Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair
Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
According to some customer reviews, the technical jargon in contracts is confusing
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for San Bruno residents. First American offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, it also has a unique add-on alongside common ones called the First Class Upgrade, which covers fees associated with the use of lifting equipment, up to $250 per local building permits, haul away services, and appliances and systems that have been insufficiently installed or modified.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for San Bruno homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For more information, read our First American Home Warranty Review.
Basic Plan
Premier Plan
Offers home insurance deductible of $500
Extra long 180-day workmanship guarantee
Offers free cancellation in the first 30 days
Charges high service fees of $75-$150
Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
Isn’t available in hawaii or alaska
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for San Bruno residents. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for San Bruno homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For more information, read our Cinch Home Services Review.
Appliances Plan
Built-in Systems Plan
Complete Home Plan
Policy starts in ten days
24/7 customer service support
Generous coverage caps on important systems and appliances
30-labor guarantee and 90-day parts guarantee
Offers utility and home service outside line coverage
Higher service fee of $95
Not accredited by the better business bureau (bbb)
Only 2 plan options
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for San Bruno residents. HSC offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, it also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for San Bruno homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For more information, read our The Home Service Club Review.
Standard Coverage Plan
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on home warranty companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Home Appliance | Repair Cost |
---|---|
Air Conditioner | $8,201 |
Heating | $5,468 |
Electrical | $820 |
Toilets | $683 |
Washer/Dryer | $1,094 |
Plumbing | $820 |
Oven | $2,187 |
Fridge | $820 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps lower expenses for San Bruno homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include microwaves, dishwashers, dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, washers, and others. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require San Bruno homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some key home warranty words to learn before signing a contract:
There are several important considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances. More extensive plans may also cover other things such as spas, roof leaks, well pumps, and pools. Look for providers with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to your home's needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, you may want to choose a company with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also do away with deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential providers to learn the number of repair technicians they have in San Bruno and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty companies include perks such as smart home device coverage, reduced maintenance fees, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Temperatures in San Bruno can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in San Bruno, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they have to be repaired or replaced.
Plus, having a home warranty can save you some time by getting rid of the need to research service technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to do the necessary repair or replacement. Another good thing about having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty policy to the new owners. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One downside of a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For instance, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read over the contracts you’re considering carefully to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another thing to consider is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about it if you aren’t sure or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty in San Bruno can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also reduce your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects a home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in San Bruno.
Homebuyers, landlords, homeowners, home sellers, and real estate agents can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty plan will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In San Bruno, where the median value of a home is $1,266,919, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.