Updated Jan 10, 2023
Updated Jan 10, 2023
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Although California may be home to some beautiful beaches from the Bay Area to San Diego and beyond, the cost of living and homeownership can get expensive. The breakdown of essential home systems and appliances, like your air conditioning, can be detrimental to your budget and health.
Our experts reviewed and ranked the best home warranty companies in California, each offering a generous mix of coverage levels paired with competitively low pricing to offer you peace of mind.
California Homeowners should compare several quotes from home warranty companies to determine which is the best for their home. There are some essential features and plan benefits to consider when making your final pick:
Why Trust House Method
House Method’s Experts collected and analyzed 2000+ critical data points to identify what makes a great home warranty company in the eye of the consumer. Our reviews team used this data to assess over 60 home warranty providers for coverage extent, annual cost, and national availability to provide unbiased reviews so homeowners can confidently navigate key decisions about their homes.
Out of all six companies featured in this review, Choice Home Warranty (CHW) is our top choice for California homeowners. CHW earned its first-place rank and score of 4.9 out of five stars for its prominent industry presence, proactive claim response times, and a strong reputation for only working with top-of-the-line service technicians.
Since 2008, Choice Home Warranty has covered more than 1.65 million homes across the U.S. Though founded in Edison, New Jersey, CHW remains one of the most popular home warranty companies in California* for its best-in-class plan options and lower-than-average pricing.
*All CHW service contracts issued in California, though branded by Choice Home Warranty, are actually administered and underwritten by Home Service Club of California, Inc. (HSCCA).
Pros
Cons
The two standard policy options, the Basic Plan and the Total Plan, cost around $51 per month, which sits in flush with the industry average monthly cost of $51.61. Along with their premium, Choice customers will also be responsible for a service call fee of $85 each time a technician is sent out to address a new service request. California homeowners will be covered for up to $3,000 in maintenance costs per item, per year. Customers who opt to purchase a plan with a single annual payment rather than monthly payments will receive a free 13th month of coverage.
Homes over 5,000 square feet may be charged an additional fee. Contract cancellations outside of the first 30 days of coverage will also warrant a $50 administrative fee. Choice doesn’t charge anything for policy transfers.
Here’s a detailed look at Choice Home Warranty’s coverage:
For more personalized coverage, Choice also offers nine à la carte coverage riders for $40-$180 annually:
Plan | Cost Per Month | Annual Cost | Service Fee |
Basic Plan | $45 | $560 | $85 |
Total Plan | $53.33 | $660 | $85 |
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.
For more information, read our Choice Home Warranty review.
Select Home Warranty (SHW) earned 4.8/5 stars and was awarded the “most cost-effective” home warranty option available in California. Select Home Warranty’s premiums land below $48 per month and it offers a generous spread of new joiner discounts to guarantee substantial savings. The service fee of only $60 is also $16 under the industry average according to our research.
For a limited time only, new joiners can receive $150 off of their premium plus two months of complimentary coverage and free roof leak protection. SHW also offers free cancellation within your first 30 days of coverage, just in case.
Pros
Cons
Select Home Warranty has three plans for customers in California to choose from: Bronze Care, Gold Care, or Platinum Care. Bronze Care is an appliance-only plan, Gold Care is a system-only plan, and Platinum Care is SHW’s most comprehensive coverage option which rolls the Bronze and Gold Care plans into one catch-all policy. These plans cost an average of $46.50 dollars per month or $495 annually. On top of your premium, you’ll also be responsible for $60 each time a new claim is filed.
Each covered item is limited to a repair allowance of $500-$2,000 per year — a good bit less than the average annual maximum of $3,072 across competing providers. Though Select does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, cancellations that occur after that first month will call for a $75 administrative fee and a pro-rated refund at the non-discounted plan cost.
Here’s a detailed look at Select Home Warranty’s coverage:
Californians with a Select policy can maximize their protection with the following optional coverage riders for $3.33-$8.33 per month:
Plan | Cost Per Month | Annual Cost | Service Fee |
Bronze Care | $44.42 | $479.99 | $60 |
Gold Care | $44.42 | $479.99 | $60 |
Platinum Care | $47.75 | $524.99 | $60 |
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953.
For more information, read our Select Home Warranty Review.
Our experts rated American Home Shield (AHS) 4.7/5 stars as the “most customizable” home warranty company in California. AHS allows its policyholders to choose the service fee of $75-$125, which, in turn, provides extensive flexibility in monthly and annual premium costs.
Founded in 1971, AHS is the oldest standing home warranty company among leading providers and is often hailed as a founding father of the industry itself. American Home Shield maintains a B rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) specifically for its flexible coverage options, around-the-clock customer service, and fair pricing. With an AHS policy, California homeowners can shape a home warranty policy to best fit the unique needs of their homes.
Pros
Cons
American Home Shield advertises three different standard home warranty plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Whereas ShieldSilver is a systems-only option, ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum offer combined coverage for appliances and systems, just to different degrees. These plans cost an average of $43 per month or $569 per year.
AHS has generously high coverage limits of up to $6,000 per item with the ShieldPlatinum plan. The service fee required by AHS is also customizable as customers can choose between payments of $75, $100, or $125. The higher the service fee you select, the lower your main premium will be and vice versa.
Here’s a detailed look at American Home Shield’s coverage:
In addition to their standard inclusions, AHS policyholders can also opt to add the following coverage add-ons to their plan:
Plan | Cost Per Month($75 service fee) | Cost Per Month($100 service fee) | Cost Per Month($125 service fee) |
ShieldSilver | $44.27 | $34.27 | $29.27 |
ShieldGold | $54.27 | $44.27 | $39.27 |
ShieldPlatinum | $74.27 | $64.27 | $59.27 |
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
For more information, read our American Home Shield review.
Our experts rated The Home Service Club (HSC) 4.6/5 stars as the home warranty with the “quickest coverage” in California. When you sign up for a policy through HSC, your home warranty benefits will be activated just ten days after your plan’s purchase date. Competing providers usually instate a 30-day waiting period for new joiners, but HSC cuts that wait time by more than two weeks.
HSC also offers specialty real estate protection plans created specifically for California residents in the process of buying or selling a home.
Pros
Cons
The Home Service Club keeps things simple with just two policies for California homeowners to choose from that average $57 per month or $725 per year. The Standard Coverage Plan covers a total of 18 appliances and systems. For just $13 more per month, the Comprehensive Coverage plan boosts that number of inclusions to 31 and also features unique items like pest control, plumbing stoppages, home security systems, and more.
The Home Service Club also offers a customizable service fee of either $60, $75, or $95. Optional coverage add-ons cost between $3.33 and $16.66 per month, depending on the item. Along with most of its competitors, HSC offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. All cancellations with your first month of coverage will be reimbursed in full. After that initial time frame, any attempt to terminate your contract with result in a $45 administrative fee and a pro-rated refund.
Here’s a detailed look at The Home Service Club’s coverage:
HSC customers can also add the following coverage riders to their main policy:
Plan | Cost Per Month | Annual Cost | Service Fee |
Standard Coverage Plan | $50 | $650 | $60-$95 |
Comprehensive Coverage Plan | $62.90 | $800 | $60-$95 |
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club fill out this online form or call 800-842-9334.
For more information, read our Home Service Club Review.
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is the “most trustworthy” home warranty in California and earned 4.5/5 stars according to our methodology. Since its establishment four years ago, LHG has continued to impress real customers and other home warranty industry professionals. This is the only home warranty company with an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and tons of positive customer reviews to back it up.
The company has a strong commitment to customer service and following through on its service contracts, offering a 60-day workmanship guarantee. Overall, Liberty Home Guard does a great job covering issues in your home and allowing for a much better experience with your home warranty company.
Pros
Cons
Liberty Home Guard splits its coverage in three ways: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Appliance Guard is a standalone appliance-only plan whereas Systems Guard solely covers select built-in home systems. Total Home Guard, LHG’s most comprehensive plan level, is a combined variation of both Appliance and Systems Guard. On average, coverage through Liberty Home Guard costs $75 per month or $750 per year.
Liberty Home Guard is known for its extensive list of add-on coverage and more notable options than other companies on the market. On top of your premium, you’ll also pay a $75 service fee per each new service request. Liberty Home Guard’s coverage caps are fair, with most being around the $1,500 mark.
Here’s a detailed look at Liberty Home Guard’s coverage:
Liberty Home Guard has the most exhaustive list of optional add-ons compared to any other leading service provider which is $49.99 to $299.99 per year. LHG offers protection on:
Plan | Cost Per Month | Annual Cost | Service Fee |
Appliance Guard | $64.99 | $700 | $75 |
Systems Guard | $69.99 | $750 | $75 |
Total Home Guard | $74.99 | $800 | $75 |
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.
Read our Liberty Home Guard review for more information.
First American Home Warranty (FAHW) was rated 4.2/5 stars and awarded “best appliance coverage” according to our methodology due to the high coverage maximums on major home appliances. Not only is its appliance-only plan more affordable than any other appliance plan on the market, but all covered appliances are protected by an annual allowance of $3,500 per year — one of the highest coverage maximums available industry-wide.
Be wary that coverage for A/C systems, typically a priority among California homeowners, is only available with an additional fee as an optional coverage add-on.
Pros
Cons
First American Home Warranty offers two plans, both of which offer coverage on appliances and systems, just at different levels. Unfortunately, where most other home warranty companies consider air conditioning standard coverage, FAHW offers it as an optional add-on.
Home protection through First American Home Warranty costs an average of $43 per month or $483 per year. FAHW requires all policyholders, no matter what plan level they select, to pay a $75 service fee per claim — which is still slightly below the industry average. Though there is a 30-day money-back guarantee, all cancellations following your first month of coverage will be met with a $50 termination fee. As far as add-ons go, expect to pay between $84 and $204 per year for extra coverage.
Here’s a detailed look at First American Home Warranty’s coverage:
First American Home Warranty also has five additional coverage riders for California policyholders to choose from:
Plan | Cost Per Month | Annual Cost | Service Fee |
Basic Plan | $38 | $420 | $85 |
Total Plan | $48.50 | $546 | $85 |
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164.
For more information, read our First American Home Warranty review.
California is the third-largest state by area and the most populated state in the U.S., with more than 39 million people. For that reason, we’ve taken a closer look at the availability of the above providers in popular cities across California and curated more granular reviews of each below.
Home Warranty Company | Choice Home Warranty | Select Home Warranty | American Home Shield | The Home Service Club | Liberty Home Guard |
Our Rating | 9.7 | 9.5 | 9.6 | 9.4 | 9.3 |
Best For | Our Top Choice | Most Affordable | Most Customizable | Quickest Service | Most Trustworthy |
Average Cost | $45 – $53 | $56 – $62 | $34 – $64 | $50 – $62 | $70 – $80 |
Service Fee | $85 | $60 | $75, $100, or $125 | $60, $75, or $95 | $75 |
Annual Limit | $3,000 per standard item$250-$500 for add-ons | $500-$3,000 per standard item$400 for add-ons | Up to $6,000 per standard item$1,500+ for add-ons | $500-$2,500 per standard item$500-$2,000+ for add-ons | $2,000-$2,500 per standard item$250-$500 for add-ons |
Average Response Time | Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours | Within 24 hours | Within 24 hours |
State Availability | Not available in WA | Not available in WA, NV, WY, or NM | Not available in Alaska | Available in all 50 states | Not available in WA or WI |
Online Chat / Mobile App | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
A home warranty is a home protection plan that can help homeowners save money on system and appliance repairs and replacements. Home warranties are designed to help you schedule and finance both routine and emergency repairs and replacements of your major home systems and appliances. Home warranty coverage will often start without a complete home inspection and typically goes into place about thirty days after making your first payment.
Filing a claim with your home warranty company is quite simple. There will either be an online portal system or a direct phone number to call to file your claim with your home warranty company. The repair technician will typically come to your home within a 24 to 48-hour period to inspect and complete the repair, at which point you will pay the designated service fee. Most home warranty repairs are covered by the coverage cap associated with the policy, and you will be responsible for the cost beyond the limit.
Though exact coverage details will vary between providers, most home warranty companies will cover:
Appliances | Systems | Add-ons |
· Ovens/Stoves/Cooktops · Built-in microwaves · Refrigerators · Dishwashers · Clothes Washers · Clothes Dryers | · Air conditioning · Heating · Ductwork · Electrical · Plumbing · Hot water heaters | · Pools and spas · Limited roof leaks · Septic systems · Septic tank pumping · Well pumps · Sump pumps · Second refrigerators · Stand-alone freezers |
Across a number of verified customer review forums, frustrations around claim denials were the top complaint from home warranty customers in California. Most of these denials seem to involve a misunderstanding of coverage details and filed claims for items not included in the contract.
When signing up for a home warranty, peace of mind is only guaranteed by thoroughly understanding the full scope of the coverage your home warranty offers. While each of the five providers featured in this guide offer easy-to-understand, no-loophole coverage options, we still urge our readers to carefully review their sample policies before signing up. It’s also in your best interest to invest in the most comprehensive plan available under your provider to ensure you’re equipped with the most robust policy possible.
A home warranty in California can provide you peace of mind that you won’t have to pay expensive out-of-pocket fees for home appliance and system repairs. As a policyholder, you also won’t have to go through the hassle of finding and booking an appointment with a local contractor, as the home warranty company will have one sent to your home in as little as a few hours.
With our top pick, Choice Home Warranty, you can get comprehensive coverage on all the essential systems for Californians, such as heating and air conditioning systems, for the low cost of $53.33 per month. We recommend getting quotes from 3-4 different companies and comparing coverage and annual limits before choosing one for your home.
A California home warranty will typically cost between $35 and $75. There are higher costs when adding in coverage. The service call fee costs also need to be considered as they will impact the overall price of the plan.
The systems and appliances in a home are covered under a California home warranty. Everything from a stove to a swimming pool can be covered under a home warranty. Most California homeowners will choose a plan that combines system and appliance coverage.
Home warranty companies will cover replacement costs within the policy limits. If you have high-end appliances or have already experienced a high dollar amount of repairs in a year, you may not get total replacement costs. However, if it is determined that your appliance or system cannot be repaired, there is typically help from the home warranty plan when it comes to replacement.
A home warranty company will typically not cover pre-existing conditions of an appliance or system. Only issues that arise following a home warranty policy acquisition will be covered. Sometimes, providers cover pre-existing conditions for an additional cost, like in First American Home Warranty’s First Class Upgrade.
A service call fee is money you will pay each time you need a repair on any of your covered items. The service call fee is sometimes referred to as the deductible of the plan. Some plans will allow you to choose your service call fee to help lower the pricing of the monthly payments.
At House Method, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader.
To create this rating system, our team spent hours researching over 60 companies, analyzing 2500+ key data points, getting the thoughts and opinions of 1000+ homeowners, and speaking to home warranty company representatives directly. We also dug into the fine print on each company’s service agreement to ensure no detail was left out.
We developed an objective home warranty review and rating methodology to score each home warranty company based on several criteria. We used a five-point scale with a point index ranging from 0.00 to 1.00. The minimum awardable value is 0.0, whereas 1.00 is the maximum. These numeric points are translated into star ratings, using whole star increments between one and five.
Here is a quick breakdown of our five core scoring categories:
Additional California Home Warranty Resources
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