Looking for the best home warranty company in California? Our review team analyzed every major home warranty company in California on factors like cost, number of home warranty plans, and customer service. Continue reading for a detailed analysis of the best home warranty companies in the Golden State.
Best Home Warranty Companies in California
In this article:
- #1: American Home Shield
- #2: Select Home Warranty
- #3: First American Home Warranty
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
#1: American Home Shield
American Home Shield (AHS) is the longest-running home warranty provider in the industry and offers four different coverage plans, including a unique Build-Your-Own Plan that allows homeowners to choose the items they need covered.
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American Home Shield has a nationwide network of over 16,000 independent, screened professional contractors, and the company accepts and pays more claims than any other home warranty company in the nation. In fact, almost one out of every two home warranty customers purchases a home warranty policy from American Home Shield.
Because of its history, market dominance, and solid coverage plans, we named American Home Shield as the best overall home warranty provider in California.
American Home Shield Plans
The table below shows the items that American Home Shield covers in each of its plans. Its Systems Plan and Appliances Plan cover systems and appliances respectively, and the Combo Plan provides comprehensive coverage for both systems and appliances. The Build-Your-Own Plan lets homeowners choose 10 items to cover.
Systems Plan:
- Electrical
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Plumbing
- Water heaters
- Garbage disposal
- Instant hot/cold water dispensers
- Doorbells
- Smoke detectors
- Ceiling fans
- Central vacuums
Appliances Plan:
- Refrigerators
- Clothes washers
- Clothes dryers
- Ranges/ovens/cooktops
- Dishwashers
- Built-in microwave ovens
- Trash compactors
- Garage door openers
- Free-standing ice makers
- Built-in food centers
Combo Plan:
- Everything in the Appliances and Systems Plans
Optional Add-ons
American Home Shield offers five optional add-ons:
- Well pump
- Electronics extended warranty
- Septic pump
- Pool and spa
- Guest unit under 750 square feet
American Home Shield Cost
Based on quotes our review team received, American Home Shield plans cost between $49.99–$59.99 per month, and the company lets you choose a service fee between $75 and $125. The service fee you choose impacts the premium you pay—the higher the service fee you choose, the lower the premium and vice versa.
- Appliances Plan: $49.99 per month
- Systems Plan: $49.99 per month
- Combo Plan: $59.99 per month
- Build-Your-Own Plan: $54.99 per month ($2 for every item over 10 items)
- Service fee (all plans): $75–$125
You can get a free quote from American Home Shield by calling 844-529-9298 or by filling out this simple form.
#2: Select Home Warranty
Offering three coverage plans for under $40 per month, Select Home Warranty is the best home warranty company for people on a budget. In addition to selling low-priced plans, Select Home Warranty offers limited roof leak coverage with all plans and up to two months free and $150 off for new customers.
Select Home Warranty Plans
Select offers an appliances-only plan, a systems-only plan, and a combo plan that combines appliance and system coverage. Compare Select Home Warranty plans below.
Bronze Care:
- Clothes washer
- Clothes dryer
- Garbage disposal
- Refrigerator
- Stove/oven
- Built-in microwave oven
- Cooktop
- Dishwasher
Gold Care:
- Plumbing system
- Heating system
- AC/Cooling
- Electrical system
- Water heater
- Ductwork
Platinum Care:
- Clothes washer
- Clothes dryer
- Garbage disposal
- Refrigerator
- Stove/oven
- Built-in microwave oven
- Cooktop
- Dishwasher
- Plumbing system
- Heating system
- AC/Cooling
- Electrical system
- Water heater
- Ductwork
- Garage door opener
- Ceiling fan
- Plumbing stoppages
Optional Add-ons
Select Home Warranty offers seven optional add-ons:
- Septic system
- Lawn sprinkler system
- Stand-alone freezer
- Pool pump
- Central vacuum
- Sump pump
- Well pump
Select Home Warranty Cost
With three plans that cost under $40 per month and a $75 service fee, Select Home Warranty is one of the more affordable home warranty companies in California and is cheaper than American Home Shield and First American. However, Select does charge repeat service fees, so homeowners who have issues with an item that was recently serviced will have to pay a $75 service fee every time a professional contractor returns to their home.
Compare Select Home Warranty plan pricing below:
- Gold Plan: $35.83 per month
- Bronze Plan: $35.83 per month
- Platinum Plan: $37.50 per month
- Service Fee (all plans): $75
You can get a free quote from Select Home Warranty by calling 888-370-3956 or by completing this form.
#3: First American Home Warranty
Founded in 1984, First American Home Warranty has over 35 years of experience in the home warranty industry. First American offers 24/7 customer service and covers appliances and systems regardless of their age.
First American Home Warranty Plans
First American offers two home warranty coverage plans: a Basic plan and a Premier plan. The company’s Basic plan covers eight appliances, and the company’s Premier plan covers 16 home systems and appliances. Because some areas of California can get very hot during the summer, it’s worth noting that air conditioning is not included in either First American plan—coverage for this system must be purchased as an optional add-on.
Basic Plan:
- Refrigerator
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Oven, range, and cooktop
- Garbage disposal
- Trash compactor
Premier Plan:
- Everything in the Basic Plan, plus:
- Plumbing
- Plumbing stoppages
- Heating system
- Water heater
- Electrical system
- Garage door opener
- Ductwork
- Central vacuum system
Optional Add-ons
First American offers these optional add-ons:
- Pool/spa
- Well pump
- Second refrigerator
- Central air conditioning system
First American also offers a “First Class Upgrade,” which includes the following benefits:
- Up to $250 for expenses related to local building permits required for replacing an appliance
- Coverage for cosmetic damage to systems and appliances
- Coverage for appliance removal
First American Home Warranty Cost
First American Home Warranty’s Basic plan costs about $28 per month and the Premier plan costs about $42.50 per month. The company’s service fee is $75, which falls in line with the industry average of $75 to $125 for service fees.
- Basic Plan: $28.00
- Premier Plan: $42.50
- Service Fee (both plans): $75
You can get a free quote from First American Home Warranty by calling 833-777-0049 or by filling out this easy form.
Conclusion
Our review team found that American Home Shield, Select Home Warranty, and First American Home Warranty are the best home warranty companies in California and offer comprehensive plans at affordable prices.
We recommend getting free quotes from all three companies using the table at the top of this article. Doing so will allow you to compare plan pricing for your home and help you figure out which provider offers the better value for your home protection needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are home warranty plans worth it?
Home warranty plans may be worth it because they provide peace of mind that unexpected and expensive repairs and replacements will be covered. Repairing and replacing systems and appliances can cost hundreds—or thousands—of dollars, and paying for coverage for these items is a smart way to help ensure financial stability.
How much do home warranty plans cost?
On average, home warranty plans cost between $25–$60 per month and service call fees cost between $75–$125.
Is there a waiting period before coverage starts?
In general, there’s a waiting period of 30 days before a home warranty company offers coverage. However, companies like The Home Service Club have a 10-day waiting period before coverage kicks in.
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