Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in South San Francisco can be exciting for many, but it also comes with its fair share of headaches. Home repairs can be an unanticipated financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and shield your bank account from large expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the right protection for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in South San Francisco. Read on for our home warranty recommendations.
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
In South San Francisco, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. When you buy a plan from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and 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. To read more, visit our review of Choice Home Warranty.
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
In South San Francisco, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. When you buy a plan from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and 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. To read more, visit our review of Select Home Warranty.
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
In South San Francisco, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. When you buy a plan from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and 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. To read more, visit our review of American Home Shield.
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
In South San Francisco, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. When you buy a plan from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty 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 has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are around the $1,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and 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. To read more, visit our review of First American Home Warranty.
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
In South San Francisco, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. When you buy a plan from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and 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. To read more, visit our review of Cinch Home Services.
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
In South San Francisco, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. When you buy a plan from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and 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. To read more, visit our review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $7,984 |
| Heating | $5,323 |
| Electrical | $798 |
| Toilets | $665 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,065 |
| Plumbing | $798 |
| Oven | $2,129 |
| Fridge | $798 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists South San Francisco homeowners in lowering the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and modern appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include garbage disposals, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, washers, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty plans also offer add-on coverage options for locksmiths, central vacuums, septic systems, and even roof leaks. South San Francisco homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some key home warranty terms to know before signing a contract:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans provide protection for plumbing, AC, heating, electrical, and appliances. More robust plans also include coverage for other items such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Look for providers with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you tailor protection to your home's needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per repair request filed. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, repair speed, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about providers. Good ratings and feedback suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in South San Francisco to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty providers offer extras such as smart home device protection, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Since temperatures in South San Francisco can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Getting a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down all of a sudden.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of having to vet technicians on your own, home warranty providers do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Another benefit of having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. It can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your house sell faster.
Home warranties also have some downsides. Although it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a repair technician who does the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they would prefer to choose their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty plans allow you to choose a contractor.
Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the impacted systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in South San Francisco can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty plans cover problems related to systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in South San Francisco. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, real estate agents, landlords, and home sellers are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty policy will cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
In general, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In South San Francisco, where the median value of a home is $1,204,482, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
