Best Home Warranties in California 2024
Our list includes Super Home Warranty, First American Home Warranty and more.
The best home warranties in California provide homeowners with affordable service fee options, high coverage limits and a variety of plans. We researched home warranty companies in California, compared over 150 quotes and read through dozens of service agreements to find the best home warranty plans. These are the best home warranty plans for California homeowners.
We reviewed more than 150 quotes for California.
We read more than 100 pages of service agreement terms.
Company | NerdWallet rating | Monthly premiums | Service fees | States available | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.5/5 | $20 and up Based on quotes collected in August 2025. | $100 or $125 per claim | 48 states, and Washington, D.C. | Call American Home Shield Limited-Time Deal: 50% off select plans on American Home Shield's website | |
Call American Home Shield Limited-Time Deal: 50% off select plans on American Home Shield's website | |||||
Call American Home Shield Limited-Time Deal: 50% off select plans on American Home Shield's website | |||||
3.0/5 | $42 and up Based on quotes collected in August 2025. | $100 or $125 per claim | 35 states | Call First American Home Warranty Limited-Time Deal: $200 instant discount on First American Home Warranty's website | |
Call First American Home Warranty Limited-Time Deal: $200 instant discount on First American Home Warranty's website | |||||
Call First American Home Warranty Limited-Time Deal: $200 instant discount on First American Home Warranty's website | |||||
2.5/5 | $35 and up Based on quotes collected in July 2025. | $65, $85 or $100 per claim. | Did not disclose. | on NerdWallet | |
on NerdWallet | |||||
on NerdWallet | |||||
3.5/5 | $45 and up Based on quotes collected in June 2025. | $100 to $125 per claim | 26 states, and Washington, D.C. | on NerdWallet | |
on NerdWallet | |||||
on NerdWallet | |||||
3.0/5 | $49.00 and up Based on quotes gathered in September 2024. | $75 per claim | Did not disclose. | on NerdWallet | |
on NerdWallet | |||||
on NerdWallet | |||||
How we chose the best home warranty companies in California
Although most homeowners want coverage for similar items, each state brings with it a unique set of factors that can make some home warranty plans more relevant than others. Here are a few factors that we considered when choosing which home warranty companies are the best for California homeowners.
Price. Because monthly premiums and service fees differ by provider and plan, we considered the cost of each company’s cheapest plan, available service fees and customer options for adjusting monthly premiums.
HVAC coverage. California is home to the hottest temperature recorded on Earth — a stifling 134 degrees Fahrenheit in Death Valley. Many Californians rely on their air conditioning systems to keep them comfortable during the hotter months of the year. We looked at whether HVAC coverage is included in each company’s cheapest plan, coverage limits for heating systems, which components are covered by the plans and more.
Coverage limits. It doesn’t do much good to buy a plan that covers a lot of systems and appliances but doesn’t pay enough to offset the cost of repairs. We looked at each plan’s coverage limits for major systems and appliances to determine which companies provide good coverage for the money.
Customer satisfaction. We considered factors such as online reviews, third-party consumer review website ratings and accreditation status for each company.
Nerdy Tip: We rated the home warranty companies on this page based on their coverage in California. If a company also offers home warranty plans in several other states, you'll see an overall rating for those offerings as well.
Best for high coverage limits: First American Home Warranty
First American Home Warranty is our pick for the best option for high coverage limits — the company doesn’t have any caps for repairs to common HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems. So as long as a repair is covered by your plan, First American will pay for it regardless of the price. Its only caps are for appliance repairs, which range from $3,500 to $7,000, depending on your plan.
Unlike most competitors, First American Home Warranty's most basic warranty covers both systems (plumbing, electrical and heating) and certain appliances.
NerdWallet rating for national coverage | 3.0 NerdWallet rating |
NerdWallet rating for California coverage | 3.0 NerdWallet rating |
HVAC coverage | 1.0 NerdWallet rating |
Coverage limits | 5.0 NerdWallet rating |
Premium cost | 3.0 NerdWallet rating |
Price | $42 to $92 depending on plan. |
Why high coverage limits matter. A home warranty’s coverage limits are the maximum the company will pay toward a system’s or appliance’s repair. That translates to your coverage before you have to pay out of pocket for a repair. The higher the coverage limit, the more a company will pay before you’re on the hook for a bill.
What we like about First American Home Warranty
In addition to the company’s lack of coverage caps for home systems, we like that First American lets customers choose between two service fee options ($100 and $125). It also has three comprehensive plans and competitive premium pricing.
What we don’t like about First American Home Warranty
We wish First American had non-comprehensive plans available for customers who want more specific coverage. We don’t like that its repair guarantee is for only 30 days and that its most basic plan doesn’t cover air conditioning systems. (However, for a few dollars more a month, customers can bump up to the second-tier plan, which does cover air conditioning systems.)
Read our full review of First American Home Warranty.
Best for flexible service fees and repair guarantee: 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
We chose 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty as the best for flexible service fees because, compared with the other companies we considered for this list, it has the most options and the lowest price available for service fees. Customers can choose among $65, $85 or $100 for their service fees, and higher service fees come with lower monthly premiums.
The company also took the spot for best repair guarantee on our list thanks to its guarantee that customers won’t pay a second service fee if an approved repair fails at any point during a service agreement.
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty offers flexible service fee options and guarantees its repairs for the term of a service agreement.
NerdWallet rating for national coverage | 2.5 NerdWallet rating |
NerdWallet rating for California coverage | 4.0 NerdWallet rating |
HVAC coverage | 1.0 NerdWallet rating |
Coverage limits | 5.0 NerdWallet rating |
Premium cost | 5.0 NerdWallet rating |
Price | $35 to $61 depending on plan. |
Why flexible service fees matter. You have more say in the total cost of your home warranty plan if you can choose your service fee, which could save you money in the long run as well.
What we like about 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
In addition to flexible service fee options, 2-10 Home Buyers offers competitive monthly premiums compared with the other companies on our list. The company’s coverage limits are decent, covering up to $2,000 each for HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems.
What we don’t like about 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
As an appliance-only plan, 2-10’s cheapest plan doesn’t cover air conditioning systems, which means you’ll have to buy a higher plan for HVAC coverage. Additionally, 2-10’s basic plan doesn’t cover as many items as some of its competitors’ similar plans. The company also has mixed customer ratings online.
Read our full review of 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty.
Best for customer satisfaction: Old Republic Home Protection
Old Republic Home Protection is at the top of this list for customer satisfaction. With a decent Better Business Bureau score and a good Trustpilot score, the company has higher ratings than many of its competitors. Satisfied customers say they appreciate Old Republic’s quick response time and knowledgeable repair contractors.
Old Republic Home Protection's coverage limits are on the high end compared with competitors, especially for HVAC and appliances.
NerdWallet rating for national coverage | 3.5 NerdWallet rating |
NerdWallet rating for California coverage | 3.5 NerdWallet rating |
HVAC coverage | 1.0 NerdWallet rating |
Coverage limits | 5.0 NerdWallet rating |
Premium cost | 4.0 NerdWallet rating |
Price | $50 to $90 depending on plan. |
Why customer satisfaction matters. If your home warranty provider approves your claim for a repair, you’ll likely have to work with a repair technician and a home warranty customer service representative — maybe more than you anticipate if anything goes wrong with the repair. A company with good customer satisfaction scores is more likely to be helpful if you reach out for assistance during the claim process.
What we like about Old Republic Home Protection
We like that Old Republic offers customers a choice between two service fees ($100 and $125). The company’s cheapest plan also covers a good variety of appliances and systems compared with its competitors. Old Republic doesn’t limit coverage for approved electrical repairs and pays between $3,500 and $7,000 for approved appliance repairs, depending on your plan. The company also has good customer satisfaction scores with Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau.
What we don’t like about Old Republic Home Protection
We don’t like that Old Republic excludes air conditioning system coverage from its cheapest plan; however, you can pay an additional fee to add it to the basic plan if you don’t want to buy a more expensive plan. Additionally, Old Republic’s cheapest service fee is $100, which is higher than some of its competitors' service fees. The company also limits plumbing coverage to $600 for toilet repairs or replacements and gives customers a 30-day repair guarantee.
Read our full review of Old Republic Home Protection.
Best for air conditioner coverage: American Home Shield
American Home Shield is our pick for the best air conditioning system coverage. As the only home warranty company on our list that covers air conditioning systems in its cheapest plan, American Home Shield pays up to $5,000 for air conditioning systems and covers repairs for every component of permanently installed systems.
Unlike most plans, the ShieldPlatinum plan includes roof leak coverage. Usually, this coverage is only available as an add-on.
NerdWallet rating for national coverage | 4.5 NerdWallet rating |
NerdWallet rating for California coverage | 3.5 NerdWallet rating |
HVAC coverage | 3.0 NerdWallet rating |
Coverage limits | 5.0 NerdWallet rating |
Premium cost | 5.0 NerdWallet rating |
Price | $29.99 to $119.99 depending on location. |
Why air conditioning system coverage matters. Some areas of California can get well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, which means air conditioning systems have to work double-time to keep homes cooler. This can wear out an HVAC system quickly, and homeowners who want to cover their air conditioning systems will need to pay attention to not only what repairs are covered but coverage caps as well.
What we like about American Home Shield
American Home Shield offers two service fee options for three plans, giving homeowners flexibility when it comes to finding a plan that fits their budgets. The company also covers up to $3,000 each for approved electrical and plumbing repairs and $2,000 to $4,000 for appliance repairs, depending on your plan. It also has some of the most competitive monthly premiums among the companies on this list.
What we don’t like about American Home Shield
We dislike that American Home Shield varies pricing by ZIP code (even in the same city), which means that one customer could pay as much as $30 more than another customer in the same city for the same coverage. The company’s cheapest service fee is $100, and it offers a 30-day repair guarantee, which is shorter than some of its competitors’ guarantees. Additionally, American Home Shield’s customer ratings online are relatively low.
Read our full review of American Home Shield.
Best for comprehensive coverage: Super Home Warranty
Super Home Warranty takes the prize for the best comprehensive coverage among the home warranty companies on our list. The company’s coverage caps for systems and appliances is competitive, and its most basic plan covers a wide range of items. With three to four plan options (depending on where you live), customers can choose how comprehensive their plans will be.
Super Home Warranty doesn't limit repair costs for electrical and plumbing issues and most HVAC systems. It also pays up to $60,000 for appliance repairs.
NerdWallet rating for California coverage | 3.0 NerdWallet rating |
HVAC coverage | 4.0 NerdWallet rating |
Coverage limits | 5.0 NerdWallet rating |
Premium cost | 5.0 NerdWallet rating |
Price | $39 to $169 depending on location. |
Why comprehensive coverage matters. Comprehensive home warranty plans can differ widely in the items they cover and their coverage limits. To get the most out of a homeowners plan that covers appliances and systems, you’ll want to compare coverage limits, which items are covered and what types of repairs are included in the plan.
What we like about Super Home Warranty
Super Home Warranty has impressive coverage that includes no coverage caps on HVAC, plumbing repairs and electrical repairs and $3,000 each for appliances (up to $10,000 for some appliances in their top plan). Super Home Warranty’s only service fee price is $99.
What we don’t like about Super Home Warranty
Our research shows that some customers are offered three plans, and other customers are offered four plan options. The company’s repair guarantee is for only 30 days, and it has mixed customer satisfaction reviews between Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau.
Good coverage with affordable premiums
How much does a home warranty cost in California?
Our research shows that the average cost in California for a home warranty is $65.97 per month plus service fees. When comparing home warranty costs in California, we requested quotes from four zip codes across California for the companies we considered for this review. We compared over 150 quotes for home warranty coverage in California. Here are the highlights of what we found:
Average cost for a home warranty in California: $65.97 per month.
Cheapest quote: $29.99 per month.
Most expensive quote: $169.00 per month.
Average cost of cheapest plan: $42.66 per month.
Average cost of highest plan: $100.33 per month.
Median cheapest plan: $40.50 per month.
Median highest plan: $91.00 per month.
Buying a home warranty in California
The best home warranty for California homeowners depends on several factors. Most homeowners need to consider their budgets, which items they want covered, how much they can afford in service fees for each technician visit and what coverage limits they’re comfortable with.
You pay a monthly premium and a service fee. You'll pay a premium every month but only a service fee when a technician visits your home. Not all companies charge service fees in California, but they can be as high as $150 per service call.
Home warranties don't cover every repair. Similar to how homeowners insurance excludes certain repairs, homeowners warranties don't pay to fix everything. Your service contract should clearly outline what isn't covered by your plan, and some companies might have coverage specific to California.
Most home warranty plans typically cover appliances and systems. Comprehensive coverage usually covers a mix of certain appliances and major systems, but which items are covered vary by plan. Some companies offer appliance-only and systems-only plans for more limited but specific coverage.
Home warranties usually don’t cover natural disaster damage in California. It’s uncommon for home warranty companies to repair covered items that experience weather-related damage, such as appliances affected by floods. This is usually covered by homeowners insurance and clearly stated in home warranty agreements as an exclusion.
What to know before buying a home warranty
Reading the coverage and exclusions information in your contract is one of the most impactful things you can do to avoid costly misunderstandings in the future. You have a right to read your contract before purchasing a plan, and it’s important to understand that home warranties:
Always have exclusions to coverage, no matter what their sales pitches say. Read your contract carefully before purchasing a plan — especially anything listed as an exclusion or limit of liability. For example, a company might cover air conditioning systems but exclude certain parts or components, such as coils. Other companies cover plumbing repairs but won’t pay to clear all plumbing stoppages or repair certain types of leaks.
Are not a type of insurance. Even though some companies call their service fees deductibles, home warranties do not work the same way as insurance policies. They differ in what they cover and how they pay for repairs or replacements. A home warranty is not a supplement for homeowners insurance.
Limit how much they pay. If the cost of a repair or replacement goes beyond a limit stated in your contract, you’ll have to pay the difference. For example, if the bill for a repair is $2,000 and the limit is $1,500, you’re required to cover $500. This is in addition to your monthly premium and service fee.
Can deny your claim for several reasons. Examples include if you had work performed on a covered item without approval or you modified the system or appliance.
May not pay enough to cover the full cost of replacing a covered item. Home warranties often depreciate the value of items as they age, so you’ll likely have to pay at least some money to replace an item, even if it’s covered by the contract.
Methodology
NerdWallet's Home Services team evaluated home warranties across several factors, including cost, covered items, coverage limits, customer ratings, ability to choose your own technician and warranty on work completed. Because costs can vary by location, it's best to get quotes from multiple companies before making a decision. Read more about how NerdWallet rates state-level home warranties.