The best home warranty companies in California include American Home Shield, Choice Home Warranty (Home Service Club of California), and First American Home Warranty. In this article, we’ll detail the top five companies for protecting your home’s appliances and systems in the Golden State.
Key Takeaways
- American Home Shield is our top-rated home warranty company in California because of its comprehensive coverage and high limits. According to our 2025 consumer survey, it’s also the most popular provider in the state.
- The average cost of a home warranty in California is $42–$83 per month, or $499–$972 per year.
- Among California home warranty owners we surveyed in 2025, air conditioning was the most commonly protected system, and water heaters were the most commonly protected appliances.
Top Home Warranty Providers in California
Here are our top-rated home warranty providers in California:
- American Home Shield: Best for Customized Coverage
- Choice Home Warranty: Best Basic Plan Coverage
- First American Home Warranty: Best for High-End Items
- Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Support
- Cinch Home Services: Best Additional Perks
Compare Home Warranty Companies in California
Below, we compare our top picks for California based on several key factors you should consider, including monthly cost, service call fees, response times, and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings.
| Provider | Our Score | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Response Time | BBB Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$57–$68 | $65–$125 | Up to 48 hours | A+ | ||
$36–$100 | $100–$125 | Up to 48 hours | B | ||
$60–$68 | $100 | 24–48 hours | B | ||
$77–$130 | $100–$125 | 4–48 hours | B | ||
$51–$68 | $100–$150 | 2–24 hours | B+ |
Notes: National average pricing is based on sample quotes obtained in all 50 U.S. states for single-family homes over and under 5,000 square feet. Costs were averaged together to determine typical price ranges. Pricing may vary depending on your home’s location, size, and your coverage choices.
The BBB is an independent organization that evaluates businesses’ credibility and responsiveness to customers. Having “No Rating” or an “NR” indicates the BBB has not issued a rating due to an ongoing review or update to a company’s profile. Ratings are accurate as of April 2025.
Our Review of Top California Home Warranties
We reviewed home warranty companies in California with a focus on important systems coverage in the state, especially for air conditioning. We also considered add-on coverage such as roof leak repairs for areas with heavy rain or for pool and spa equipment.
American Home Shield
American Home Shield Overview
American Home Shield (AHS) is a good choice for owners of older homes since it covers preexisting conditions you can’t detect during a visual inspection or a test, such as turning an appliance on and off. The company’s other perks include member discounts on maintenance, housecleaning, and other services.
AHS’s top plan, ShieldPlatinum, offers roof-leak protection, which most other companies offer as an add-on for an extra fee. This is a type of coverage that over 32% of the Californians we surveyed in 2025 added to their policies. However, AHS has pricey service fees, which you owe each time a technician visits your home for a repair, and its top-tier plan has the highest premiums among the providers on our list.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Has high coverage caps of up to $5,000 for heating and air conditioning (AC) systems
- Covers undetectable preexisting conditions in some cases
- Offers discounts on maintenance and other home services as part of member benefits
Cons
- Only offers six options for add-on coverage, fewer than competitors such as Liberty Home Guard
- Has the highest premiums among the providers on our list
Plan Details and Cost
AHS offers three home warranty plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum.
- ShieldSilver ($18 per month): This plan covers major systems—air conditioning, heating, electrical, and plumbing—but it doesn’t cover appliances.
- ShieldGold ($28 per month): A middle-tier plan that covers 23 systems and appliances, including HVAC, clothes washers and dryers, ranges, and water heaters.
- ShieldPlatinum ($85 per month): The company’s most comprehensive plan, which includes the same coverage as ShieldGold, plus benefits including roof-leak repairs and HVAC tuneups.
You can read an American Home Shield sample contract for more details on plan coverage. Plans include coverage for all parts of most systems and appliances included in each plan, offering some of the best coverage out of our top providers for California. For example, some companies, such as Liberty Home Guard, don’t cover dishwasher racks or drawers, but it covers the entire appliance. The company also offers generous coverage for heating and air conditioning systems, with limits up to $5,000 per year.
You can choose to pay premiums monthly or yearly, but we didn’t find any added benefits, such as free months of service, for paying the entire cost upfront. The company offers two service call fee options of $100 or $125 that you’ll owe for each repair appointment. If you choose the lower service fee, you’ll pay a higher monthly rate and vice versa.
American Home Shield offers six add-on customizations for your plan:
- Roof-leak repair (included at no additional cost in the ShieldPlatinum plan)
- Electronics
- Pool and built-in spa
- Guest units (under 750 square feet)
- Septic pump
- Well pump
Our Experience With American Home Shield
One of our team members filed a claim with AHS for a leaky bathroom pipe. He submitted his claim using the company’s online portal and received text and email confirmations immediately afterward. A service technician contacted him within the hour to schedule a next-day repair. The technician completed the repair in two hours and only charged the service-call fee.
Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty Overview
If you’re looking for comprehensive coverage at a low price, we recommend considering Choice Home Warranty. Note that Choice issues plans through Home Service Club of California in the state, so you may see both company names on Choice’s website and service agreements. Choice offers two combination plans that cover various appliances and systems at affordable rates. The company also offers coverage limits of up to $3,000 for most covered systems and appliances.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers comprehensive coverage for less than any competitor on our list
- Extends $3,000 coverage limits for most appliances and systems
- Has transparent online quotes with add-on costs clearly displayed
Cons
- Does not include air conditioning coverage under its Basic Plan
- Has an ongoing lawsuit for alleged consumer fraud in Arizona
Plan Details and Cost
Choice Home Warranty, unlike other companies on this list, offers just two service plans: Basic and Total. Here’s an overview of Choice’s service plans:
- Basic ($59 per month): The lower-tier plan covers most appliances and systems, excluding your AC, washer, dryer, and refrigerator.
- Total ($67 per month): The comprehensive plan includes everything in the Basic plan and adds coverage for your AC, washer, dryer, and refrigerator.
The company’s sample agreement for California outlines a $3,000 coverage limit for most appliances and systems. Choice offers a monthly or yearly payment option, but the company charges an additional $2.50 per month if you choose to make monthly payments. There’s a flat $100 service fee for all claims.
Choice offers 10 add-on coverage options that range in price from $3 to $15 per month. Most add-ons have $500 coverage limits, but this may vary by item. Here’s a sample of Choice’s add-ons:
- Pool and spa
- Limited roof leak
- Second refrigerator
- Well pump
- Sump pump
Our Experience With Choice Home Warranty
Our team member purchased a five-year Choice Home Warranty plan for both her rental houses and her home in North Carolina. Overall, she has been unimpressed with the company, of which she has been a customer for two years. When she first moved into her home, her AC, refrigerator, and freezer didn’t work. It took the company two weeks to send contractors out, despite her calling every day.
She has made several claims for her rental properties and gotten mixed results. Sometimes, contractors came out and fixed the issue promptly. But our tester said that at other times, technicians collected a service fee, diagnosed the problem, and then left or refused to fix the issue because they said Choice wouldn’t pay them enough for the job to make it worth it.
First American Home Warranty
First American Home Warranty Overview
First American Home Warranty could be a good choice if you need coverage for high-end appliances. Its top plan includes up to $7,000 in coverage for some appliances and unlimited coverage for washers and dryers. The company also offers seven add-on options that let you enhance its three plans, including pool and spa coverage, a benefit for owners of customized homes in California.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Includes unlimited coverage for washers and dryers with its top-tier plan
- Seven add-on options, including pool and spa coverage
- No age limits on covered systems and appliances
Cons
- Lowest-tier plan doesn’t include water heater or AC coverage
- Excludes some essential kitchen appliances from its most affordable plan
Plan Details and Cost
First American Home Warranty offers three plan options: Starter, Essential, and Premium. Here’s an overview of the company’s home warranty plans:
- Starter Plan ($81 per month): This plan covers some systems and appliances, including your heating, but excludes your AC, water heater, and washer and dryer.
- Essential Plan ($103 per month): This plan covers additional appliances and systems, including the washer and dryer and air conditioning.
- Premium Plan ($133 per month): The highest-tier plan provides everything in the Starter and Essential plans, plus higher limits for appliances and coverage for more components.
The company’s sample contract details coverage caps for major systems and appliances, including $1,500 for major systems. The Starter and Essential plans have a $3,500 limit for appliances, which the Premium Plan increases to $7,000. The highest-tier plan also has a $1,000 cap for ductwork and limited roof leaks.
You can pay your premium monthly or annually, and paying annually saves you $2 per month in handling fees. The company has two service call fee options of $100 or $125.
First American offers seven add-on coverage options:
- Additional refrigerators
- HVAC tuneup
- Pool and spa equipment
- Roof leaks (included with the Premium Plan)
- Septic system
- Well pump
- Water softener
Our Experience With First American Home Warranty
Our team member who tested First American Home Warranty submitted an online claim for a faulty garage door opener. After 30 minutes, he received a text confirmation with the technician’s information. Half an hour later, the technician reached out to schedule a repair. The repair took less than 30 minutes to complete, and our tester’s only out-of-pocket cost was the service-call fee.
Liberty Home Guard
Liberty Home Guard Overview
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is a solid choice if you need customizable home warranty coverage—the company offers 42 add-on options. This is significantly more options than other companies in our review. Plus, the company offers three plans, including systems- and appliance-only coverage, plus a comprehensive combination plan. LHG also rewards you for prepaying for your plan annually with two free months of service, or you can earn up to six free months by prepaying five years of service.
However, LHG’s coverage isn’t as complete as competitors such as American Home Shield. For example, LHG extends lower coverage limits for some systems, such as electrical and plumbing, and has multiple exclusions for both its appliance and systems protection.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers 42 add-on options, including coverage for pools and spas
- Extends a 60-day workmanship guarantee
- Has customer support via call, text, email, and live chat
Cons
- Has lower $500 coverage limits for electrical, plumbing, and add-ons
- Does not allow customers to choose their own service call fees
Plan Details and Cost
Liberty Home Guard offers an appliance-only plan and a systems-only plan, as well as a comprehensive plan with both types of coverage. Here’s a rundown of Liberty Home Guard’s coverage plans:
- Appliance Guard ($68 per month): This plan covers most appliances, including your clothes washer and dryer, kitchen refrigerator, range, dishwasher, and garage door opener.
- Systems Guard ($73 per month): This plan covers major home systems including AC, heating, water heater, ductwork, plumbing, and electrical systems.
- Total Home Guard ($79 per month): The highest plan provides both appliance and systems coverage.
The company’s sample contract details coverage limits—generally up to $2,000 for appliances and systems, with the exception of plumbing and electrical, which have $500 limits. You can customize your contract with up to three dozen additional types of coverage, but doing so will increase your monthly cost. Service fees run from $65–$125 and depend on your location, plan, and add-ons.
LHG offers 42 add-ons, each with $500 coverage limits. We’ve listed a few options below but recommend visiting the company’s website for a full list of available add-ons.
- Limited roof-leak repair
- Pool and spa
- Electronics
- Pro-series appliances
- Lawn sprinkler system
- Well pump
Our Experience With Liberty Home Guard
One of our in-house testers signed up for a LHG plan to see how it works. She thought the online sign-up process was easy and felt clear on what she was paying upfront. She also appreciated the peace of mind a home warranty plan offered, especially after having a dishwasher leak last year.
Our tester’s one regret was not signing up for more coverage. Six months into her plan, her water heater broke, which wasn’t covered by her plan. Additionally, LHG called her repeatedly during her first week of coverage to try to get her to upgrade, which she didn‘t appreciate.
Cinch Home Services
Cinch Home Services Overview
We recommend Cinch Home Services if you want coverage for items that other plans don’t typically cover, such as built-in food centers or freestanding ice makers. The company also covers a longer list of appliances and systems than competitors on this list, such as range exhaust hoods, ceiling fans, and built-in trash compactors and attic fans. Plus, Cinch has a 180-day workmanship guarantee, whereas the industry standard is 30 days, and covers items with unknown preexisting issues.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extends a 180-day workmanship guarantee, longer than the industry standard
- Covers items with unknown preexisting conditions
- Includes coverage for appliance components such as doors, drawers, and knobs
Cons
- Only has 10 add-on coverage options
- Charges high service-call fees compared to some other providers
Plan Details and Cost
Cinch offers an appliance-only plan, a systems-only plan, and a plan with combined coverage. Here’s an overview of what each plan covers:
- Appliances ($37 per month): This plan covers major appliances including your washer, dryer, cooktop, dishwasher, range, exhaust hood, refrigerator, and built-in microwave.
- Built-In Systems ($43 per month): The systems plan covers air conditioning, ductwork, attic vent fans, ceiling fans, electrical, garage door openers, plumbing, heating, toilets, and water heaters.
- Complete Home ($52 per month): A complete plan that covers the appliances and built-in systems listed above, plus includes a reimbursement of up to $500 for your homeowners insurance deductible.
We reviewed a sample contract for Cinch’s combined-coverage plan and found relatively low limits of $2,000 for appliances and $1,000 for most systems. However, the company covers up to $1,500 for up to two air conditioning units. Cinch offers service fee options that range from $100–$150.
Cinch offers 10 optional add-ons for your home warranty plan, including:
- Outside water, sewer, or gas line
- Septic system
- Swimming pool and spa
- Well pump
Our Experience With Cinch Home Services
Our team member filed a claim with Cinch for a dishwasher that wasn’t cleaning properly. He used the company’s online portal to file his claim on a Thursday, and said the company quickly found a contractor who made an appointment for the following Tuesday. When the contractor arrived, they didn’t speak English as a first language and used Google Translate to communicate.
Our team member reported that the contractor used Youtube videos to diagnose the problem before ordering a missing part. Our tester also said the contractor yelled to get his attention (he was working from home and in a meeting) rather than texting his phone. She came back the following week and repaired the dishwasher. Our team member only paid the original service fee for the repair.
Home Warranty Costs in California
The average cost of a home warranty plan in California is $42–$83 per month, or $499–$972 per year. This is slightly lower than the national average of $47–$82 per month or $564–$984 per year. Some home warranty companies, such as American Home Shield and First American Home Warranty, charge a lower monthly premium if you choose a higher service fee. Other companies have a set service fee and only offer one monthly premium for each plan tier.
| Provider | Monthly Cost | Selected Service Fee |
|---|---|---|
| American Home Shield | $18–$85 | $100 |
| Choice Home Warranty | $59–$67 | $100 |
| First American Home Warranty | $81–$133 | $100 |
| Liberty Home Guard | $68–$79 | $65–$125 |
| Cinch Home Services | $37–$52 | $125 |
How We Determined Home Warranty Pricing
To estimate home warranty costs in California and across the U.S., we collected nearly 4,000 quotes from 13 providers in all 50 U.S. states. We used sample addresses for single-family homes under and over 5,000 square feet, including locations in California like Irvine, San Diego, San Francisco, and Willow Creek, to represent a mix of urban and rural areas in the state. These quotes helped us calculate both state-level averages and a national price range.
Survey Insights from California Homeowners
Our 2025 home warranty survey showed how homeowners in California and nationwide use their coverage. About 82% of California respondents purchased a plan for a pre-owned home, and 62% focused on protecting older systems and appliances. Nearly half of California homeowners (47%), selected a combination plan that includes both systems and appliances. Additionally, 56% of state respondents said coverage mattered most when shopping, and 27% prioritized price.
California homeowners most often covered water heaters and refrigerators among appliances, while air conditioning and plumbing ranked highest among systems. Many respondents also chose optional add-ons. Roof leak protection and extra system coverage were the most popular in the state. However, 31% of homeowners skipped add-ons, which suggests they felt the base plan met their needs.
When filing claims, 89% of California policyholders said their most recent claim was approved. Most claims involved system repairs or replacements. About 51% of respondents received a repair and 35% received a full replacement. Overall, 85% of state homeowners reported feeling satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome of their claims. Even so, only 68% planned to renew their coverage, while 24% felt unsure, possibly due to costs or mixed service experiences.
How We Collected Our Survey Data
To gain insight into real homeowner experiences with home warranties, we surveyed 2,000 home warranty plan holders nationwide. The survey was conducted in 2025 and included participants from all 50 U.S. states. Our survey focused on why homeowners purchased warranties, their satisfaction with coverage options, and experiences filing claims and interacting with customer service. The survey also explored pricing, add-on coverage selections, and renewal intentions.
Advice From Homeowners
We spoke with several California homeowners about their experiences with home warranties and why you may or may not want to get one.
Homeowner Advice
“An air conditioning system breakdown in California’s Central Valley can be problematic because the area experiences triple-digit summers. However, you may only need to worry about heating system breakdowns if you live in the coastal regions of California since those areas rarely experience triple-digit heat waves.” —California homeowner
“We had a First American Home Warranty but canceled it. Over time, we had issues with our washer and dryer, fridge, and garage door. It was a $75 co-pay each time, and it was rare that they actually fixed or replaced the units.” —California homeowner
FAQs About Home Warranties in California
What does a home warranty cover in California?
A home warranty typically covers repairs for major home appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear. This could include your home’s refrigerator, stove, washing machine, plumbing, electrical system, or HVAC. Home warranty companies charge you a set monthly or annual premium in addition to a service fee for each claim. If you need a repair or replacement, the company will find you a technician and cover the cost up to your plan’s coverage limits.
How much does a home warranty cost in California?
A home warranty costs $42–$83 per month, or $499–$972 per year in California. Pricing varies based on several factors, including your plan, add-ons, location, and home size. Service fees also impact your costs, with pricing ranging from $65–$150 per technician visit.
What should Californians look for in a home warranty?
Given the hot weather in parts of California, we recommend looking for a home warranty that offers high coverage limits for air conditioning repairs and replacements. Also, make sure the company you pick is easy to contact for any customer service issues. In our 2024 customer survey, 100% of the California homeowners who were dissatisfied with their home warranty providers cited poor customer support as the reason.
Methodology: How We Evaluated Home Warranty Providers
We back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each provider. Our research includes speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. And to bring you first-hand experience of the claims process, we’ve purchased home warranty plans and filed claims.
To find the top California home warranty companies, we also speak with industry professionals to identify common repairs and replacements throughout the state. We then score each provider against our review standards to arrive at an overall score on a 5-point scale:
- Coverage: In California, it is important to find a plan with high coverage caps and full coverage, especially for hardworking HVAC systems. The best providers cover a range of appliances and systems and start coverage within 30 days of when you sign up.
- Cost: We rate providers based on service fees, monthly premiums, and extra charges. Some of our highest-rated providers have average monthly costs around $60 and service fees of $100 or less.
- Trustworthiness: Providers that rank highest in this category have high BBB ratings, no current government lawsuits, and belong to the National Home Service Contract Association.
- Plan transparency: Our highest-ranked companies offer transparent online pricing along with sample contracts that clearly outline coverage limits and specifics for the state of California.
- Customer support: Our top-ranked home warranty companies provide fast, easy-to-use portals for filing claims. Along with quick response times, we look for providers that offer multiple customer service options.
- Flexibility: The best ratings in this category go to companies that offer three or more warranty plans and plenty of add-on options and let you choose your own technicians for repairs.
