Best Home Warranty Companies in California (2023)

• Response Time: 48 hours
• State Availability: 48 states (excluding Alaska and Hawaii)
• Service Call Fee: $100 and $125

American Home Shield (AHS) offers comprehensive major systems and appliance coverage alongside service call fee flexibility. Additionally, AHS covers unique instances other providers typically don’t, such as rust, corrosion, or sediment damage.

We rated AHS 4.4 out of 5 stars in our review standards. We consider AHS as the “Best for Comprehensive Coverage” due to its three coverage plans, multiple service fees, and solid industry reputation. We thoroughly read American Home Shield’s sample contract and found it applies a $2,000 limit per covered appliance in its ShieldGold plan. It doubles its coverage cap to $4,000 per covered item in the ShieldPlatinum plan.

AHS plans provide extensive coverage, and even its basic plan, ShieldSilver, covers your HVAC system. Its multiple service call fees allow you to customize your monthly premium to fit your budget.

American Home Shield offers three plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. We called an AHS representative and discovered that ShieldSilver covers built-in systems. The representative noted that AHS imposes a $5,000 coverage cap per covered system. ShieldGold has a $2,000 coverage limit on home appliances and doesn’t include an HVAC tune-up. ShieldPlatinum adds roof-leak coverage, up to $1,000 in code upgrades, an HVAC tune-up, and air filter discounts.

When we used AHS’s quote tool, it allowed us to choose a service call fee of $100 or $125. AHS states that a higher service call fee will result in a lower monthly premium and vice versa. All AHS plans come with a 30-day workmanship guarantee.

While pulling our quote, we discovered that AHS only offers monthly premium options. It doesn’t include an annual premium like other providers on this list. AHS allows you to pull a quote by calling a representative or using its tool.

Here are details on the covered items and monthly costs in each of American Home Shield’s plans:

• ShieldSilver ($29.99–$39.99 per month): Covers home systems, such as heating, cooling, and electrical
• ShieldGold ($49.99–$59.99 per month): Covers major systems and appliances, such as air conditioning, roof leaks, and plumbing
• ShieldPlatinum ($79.99–$89.99 per month): Covers systems and appliances and includes additional benefits, such as $1,500 for roof-leak repairs
• Optional Add-ons: Electronics, pools/spas, guest units, septic pumps, and well pumps. AHS offers competitively priced add-ons, such as septic pump coverage, for five dollars per month.

You can review the American Home Shield’s sample contract for exact coverage details.

We found it easy to pull a quote from American Home Shield’s quote tool. You must enter your ZIP code, home address, and email. Then it generates your personalized quote. It allows you to choose your service call fee option, which adjusts your premium based on the higher or lower service call fee.

AHS stands out from other providers for its coverage of rust, corrosion, and sediment damage. It also covers improperly installed or maintained items, plus items with preexisting conditions. Most providers exclude items with these conditions from coverage. 

Like most providers in this article, AHS requires you to use an in-network service provider when requesting service. One of our team members owns an AHS plan and tested its claims process. When he filed a claim for a leaking bathroom pipe, AHS found a local plumbing technician within an hour. He scheduled an appointment for the next day, and the plumber fixed his issue on that visit. He only paid his service call fee for the repair.

AHS holds solid customer reviews, despite mixed feelings about its customer service. Based on the dozens of BBB customer reviews we read, some reviewers experienced lower-than-expected claims reimbursement. Others had their claims processed quickly and satisfactorily.

• Response Time: 48 hours
• State Availability: 50 states
• Service Call Fee: $65–$125

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) offers three coverage plans, a 60-day workmanship guarantee, and more than 30 add-ons. LHG also provides accessible customer service via its live-chat feature on its website.

Liberty Home Guard earned 4.5 out of 5 stars in our rating system. It is the best customer-rated home warranty provider on this list, in part due to its A+ rating* with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and its 4.7 out of 5-star rating on Google Reviews. Our team spoke with multiple customer representatives to consider how well LHG handles customer inquiries. Based on our experiences, we believe it holds up to its stellar ratings, with each representative answering the phone quickly and answering all our questions thoroughly.

Liberty Home Guard offers three service plan options: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Unlike providers with a flexible service call fee, LHG assigns a service call fee to your account based on your plan, add-on selections, and location. According to the representative we spoke with, service fees range from $65 to $125. All LHG’s covered items are subject to a $2,000 coverage cap and a 60-day workmanship guarantee.

Below are the monthly prices for an LHG plan. Expect to pay between $600 and $720 annually. Per our research, LHG offers two additional months of coverage if you sign up for an annual plan. LHG allows you to pull a quote over the phone or online.

Here are details on LHG’s plans and optional add-on coverage:

• Appliance Guard ($49.99 per month): Covers appliances, such as dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers
• Systems Guard ($54.99 per month): Covers built-in systems, such as air conditioning, heating, ductwork, and water heater
• Total Home Guard ($59.99 per month): Covers all the items in the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans
• Optional Add-ons: Up to 38 options, including pest control, rekey service, gutter cleaning, floor cleaning, and generator coverage. When we pulled our quote, we were informed that pest control coverage costs an extra $15 monthly.

Liberty Home Guard’s service contract provides additional coverage information for each plan.

Pulling a quote from Liberty Home Guard is straightforward. First, you fill out basic personal information such as your name, phone number, and email. Then, you input your home’s address, type, and whether it is under or over 5,000 square feet. LHG will then display your home’s customized monthly premium. 

We believe Liberty Home Guard offers solid coverage for the price. Its $2,000 coverage cap applies to all covered items except electrical and plumbing systems. In addition, it offers the most add-on coverage options compared to other providers. This makes LHG a great choice if you have unique items that need coverage. 

Note that LHG doesn’t allow you to choose your service provider since it works with its network of technicians. However, if LHG can’t source a technician from its network near you, it allows you to source your own. 

In reading customer reviews, we found that consumers’ experiences aligned with our experience contacting LHG’s customer service. Many reviewers noted the helpfulness of representatives and how quickly they resolved issues. We experienced this responsiveness each time we called or used its live-chat feature.

• Response Time: 48 hours
• State Availability: 47 states (excluding Nevada, Wisconsin, and Washington)
• Service Call Fee: $60–$75

Select Home Warranty provides affordable coverage plans for those who need basic coverage. It offers appliance-only, systems-only, and combination plans. In addition, Select offers a service call fee under $80 per claim.

Select Home Warranty scored 4.3 out of 5 stars in our review standards. It is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable home warranty since all its plans are less than $50 per month and include roof-leak coverage (up to $400 annually) in each standard plan. Home warranty companies don’t typically offer roof-leak coverage without an additional fee.

Select Home Warranty offers three plan options: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. Select charges a $60–$75 service call fee. Our team discovered via secret shopping that Select offers its lower service call fee as an over-the-phone deal only. After reviewing Select’s sample contract, we found it covers HVAC systems up to $3,000. However, Select limits other covered systems, such as plumbing and electrical, plus appliances, to a $500 coverage cap. Select’s plans include a 30-day workmanship guarantee.

Select Home Warranty offers monthly and annual premium options. Expect to pay between $533 and $573 annually. According to the quote we pulled, Select offers up to $150 off and two additional months of coverage if you choose an annual premium. It lets you pull a quote by calling or using its online tool.

Here are more details about Select Home Warranty’s plans:

• Bronze Care ($44.42 per month): Covers appliances, such as clothes washers and dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, and cooktops
• Gold Care ($44.42 per month): Covers systems, such as air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electrical systems, water heaters, and ductwork
• Platinum Care ($47.75 per month): Covers all the appliances and built-in systems in the Bronze and Gold Care plans, plus garage-door openers and ceiling fans
• Optional Add-ons: Central vacuums, lawn sprinkler systems, pools, septic systems, spas, stand-alone freezers, sump pumps, and well pumps. Select Home Warranty also offers low prices for its add-ons. For example, it charges under four dollars monthly for central vacuum coverage.

Check out Select Home Warranty’s sample contract which outlines the terms and conditions of each coverage plan.

Select’s quote tool works similarly to the tools of other providers in this article. It first asks for your ZIP code. Then it asks for your name, phone number, and email. It doesn’t, however, ask for your property’s address. This helps streamline the quote process.

Select is worth considering for homeowners who need basic home protection. Its coverage caps for essential systems and appliances are much lower than other providers, making it difficult to recommend from a coverage standpoint. It offers some of the most affordable fees, and it lets you choose your service provider as long you obtain Select’s approval first. 

We also discovered that Select prefers to communicate strictly over the phone for claims and plan issues. Several customers on third-party consumer review sites, such as the BBB and Trustpilot, note that Select’s customer service department is difficult to get ahold of. Therefore, we recommend carefully considering your needs and budget before signing up for Select Home Warranty.

• Response Time: 48 hours
• State Availability: 33 states*
• Service Call Fee: $75, $100, and $125

*(excluding Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin)

First American Home Warranty offers comprehensive coverage for both appliances and systems. The company also offers a suite of add-ons plus a plan upgrade that covers miscellaneous fees home warranties typically don’t cover.

We rated First American Home Warranty 4.6 out of 5 stars in our review standards. What makes First American Home Warranty stand out is its generous appliance limits. After reading its sample contract, we found First American pairs each appliance with a $3,500 limit in the Starter and Essential plans, which is higher than other providers. Its Essential and Premium plans offer the First American Advantage upgrade. This upgrade protects systems and appliances that were improperly maintained, modified, or installed—a rarity in the home warranty business.

First American Home Warranty offers three plans: the Starter Plan, the Essential Plan, and the Premium Plan. First American offers flexible service call fees ranging from $75, $100, and $125. The coverage limit for appliances is set at $3,500 per item in its Starter and Essential plans, and its Premium Plan increases appliance limits to $7,000 per covered appliance. Upon speaking with a representative, we discovered the company doesn’t outline hard limits for built-in systems coverage except for water heaters. First American covers all repairs for 30 days. 

First American Home Warranty also offers an annual premium. Annual plan costs range from $540 to $1,040. Unlike other providers that offer annual premiums, First American doesn’t include extra months of coverage or a discount if you choose an annual premium. First American provides an online quote tool or a sales phone line to pull a free quote.

Here are more details about First American’s plan coverage:

• Starter Plan ($47–$62 per month): Covers built-in microwaves, dishwashers, ductwork, electrical system, heating, plumbing systems, oven/cooktop, plumbing stoppages, refrigerators, and toilet tanks, bowls, and mechanisms
• Essential Plan ($57–$72 per month): Includes everything in the Starter Plan plus air conditioning, ceiling/attic/exhaust fans, clothes washers, clothes dryers, First American Advantage upgrade, garage-door openers, trash compactors, and water heaters
• Premium Plan ($72–$87 per month): Covers all items listed in the Essential Plan including refrigerators, and toilet tanks, bowls, and mechanisms full garage-door systems, instant hot water dispensers, luxury appliance coverage, shower heads and arms, and window air conditioning units
• Optional Add-ons: Additional refrigeration, air conditioning for Starter Plan, HVAC tune-up, limited roof-leak, pool and spa equipment, septic tank systems and pumping, water softeners, and well pumps. First American offers limited roof-leak coverage for under $9 per month.

Check out First American Home Warranty’s sample contract for exact coverage details.

First American’s online quote tool requires you to enter personal information, such as your name, phone number, email, and home address. You must also enter your home’s type and the estimated square footage. Once you do, it generates your monthly quote. Although there is extra information you must fill out, we found it simple to adjust your premium based on your chosen service call fee. It also conveniently displays each plan’s coverage options below the price figures.

First American’s sizeable coverage limits make it a great choice for those who want total home protection. However, it excludes air conditioning coverage from its entry-level Starter plan. You must pay extra to obtain air conditioning coverage. Other providers include it within their basic plans.

First American handles claims by sending in-network service contractors to fix your issue. It allows you to use your own if an in-network provider isn’t available near you. One of our team members purchased a plan to test the claims process. He filed a claim for his garage door opener on a Friday and reported First American sent a service technician the following Monday. The technician arrived at our team member’s home on Monday and fixed his issue in under 30 minutes. All he paid was his service call fee.

Our team read dozens of customer reviews. Similar to other home warranty providers, First American holds mixed reviews. A positive theme was how simple it is to file claims. A negative theme involved delays in fulfilling service requests.

• Response Time: 24 business hours
• State Availability: 49 states (excluding Hawaii)
• Service Call Fee: $75, $100, and $125

America’s First Choice Home Club (AFC Home Club) made it onto our list thanks to its customization options for add-ons and its four distinct plans. In addition, AFC Home Club offers service call fee flexibility, which can raise or lower your monthly premium.

AFC Home Club earned a 4.6 out of 5-star rating in our review standards. Along with its flexible service call fee model, the variety of plans offered by AFC Home Club is ideal for homeowners who want a personalized home warranty package and pricing. AFC Home Club also offers a lengthy workmanship guarantee and additional membership perks. Other providers don’t include membership perks within their plans.

AFC Home Club offers a portfolio of four plan options: a Platinum Plan,

a Gold Plan, a Silver Plan, and a Systems Plan. AFC Home Club allows you to choose from a $75, $100, and $125 service call fee. The lower service call fee raises your monthly premium and vice versa.

Our team called AFC Home Club to ask about its coverage caps. A representative stated that its HVAC systems, such as heating and air conditioning, have an unlimited coverage cap, except for thermostats. It limits thermostats to $80. 

The representative added it covers up to $3,000 for appliances. However, AFC’s fine print states it pays up to the value of an item’s depreciated value if it’s older than five years. It covers all repairs and replacements with a plan-length workmanship guarantee.

AFC Home Club offers annual premiums alongside monthly premiums. Expect to pay between $398 and $630 annually for AFC Home Club coverage. The company includes a $50 annual discount if you choose a yearly payment plan. You can pull a quote using its online tool or call a sales representative.

Here are details on each plan offered by AFC Home Club:

• Silver Plan ($38.00–$42.83 per month): Covers appliances, such as clothes washer, clothes dryer, garbage disposal, and dishwasher
• Systems Plan ($45.25–$50.08 per month): Covers systems, such as air conditioning, heating, water heaters, and plumbing
• Gold Plan ($52.50–$57.33 per month): Covers both appliances and systems, such as electrical, ductwork, oven, range, plumbing stoppages, and garage-door openers
• Platinum Plan ($57.33–$62.17 per month): Covers all items and systems included with the Gold Plan, plus a built-in microwave and ice maker
• Optional Add-ons: Double oven, electronic coverage, hot water dispenser, sump pump, septic system, central vacuum, pool, spa, stand-alone freezer, and roof-leak repair. Based on the quote we pulled, in-ground pool coverage costs $9 per month.

AFC Home Club’s fine print gives more details if you want to learn more.

AFC Home Club provides an easy-to-use quote tool. Where it differs from most providers, however, is its cost page. Unlike other providers, AFC Home Club requires clicking on each plan to select your desired service call fee. If you wish to compare the prices of the other plans, you must click on the “Back To Plans” button. Although obtaining a quote is straightforward, comparing plan prices isn’t as efficient as other providers.

We consider AFC Home Club’s unlimited workmanship guarantee its best feature. The peace of mind it provides makes it a solid choice for those with older appliances or systems in their homes. Additionally, AFC Home Club is one of the few providers that allows you to choose your contractor. However, its mixed coverage limits for home systems lower its value from a coverage standpoint.

Our team read dozens of customer reviews to understand how AFC Home Club handles customer service. We found mixed reviews. Several customers appreciated AFC Home Club’s speedy claims processing. Others disliked the depreciation valuation AFC does on covered items.