7 Best Home Warranty Companies in San Francisco for 2023

Purchasing a home warranty plan can be a great way to protect your finances when the systems and appliances in your home break down. Unlike a homeowners insurance policy, a home warranty plan will cover your systems and appliance repair or replacement costs when they fail due to normal wear and tear, broken parts and factory defects.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to home warranty companies, so we’ve picked the seven best San Francisco home warranty companies based on cost, plan options, coverage, customer reviews and special perks offered to their clients. Keep reading to learn what the best home warranty companies are, what a home warranty policy is, how a home warranty policy works and how to pick the right one for your San Francisco home.

Our Top Picks for the Best Home Warranties in San Francisco

• AFC Home Club - Best technicians
• American Home Shield - Best budget-friendly plans
• Liberty Home Guard - Best reviews
• Cinch Home Services - Best perks
• Choice Home Warranty - Best coverage
• Select Home Warranty - Best sign-up bonus
• Home Service Club - Best quick coverage

7 Best Home Warranty Companies in San Francisco

Why we chose it: AFC Home Club has a robust contractor vetting system to ensure that its clients receive care from licensed professionals. Additionally, AFC allows its customers to choose their own contractors, letting them work with the technician they trust most.

AFC Home Club has been in the industry for over 35 years. Over that time, it has built a network of reliable contractors, so you don’t have to worry about sloppy or incomplete repairs. If you prefer to choose your own contractor, AFC will allow you to work with any licensed and insured technician. AFC’s plan pricing is about the same as the market average, although you can get a discount for purchasing multiple years in advance and for purchasing plans for multiple properties.

AFC offers four plans, a wider selection than any other company on our list. The Systems plan only covers essential house systems, like air conditioning, heating and electrical plumbing. The Silver plan covers eight appliances like the kitchen refrigerator, clothes dryer, clothes washer, oven and more, but doesn’t cover any systems. The Gold and Platinum plans cover a mix of systems and appliances. The Platinum package covers everything in the Systems, Silver and Gold packages, plus fans, plumbing stoppages, built-in microwaves and ice makers.

AFC has an above-average customer review rating of 3.14 out of 5 stars on its BBB profile based on over 100 reviews. It is also a BBB-accredited business. AFC offers 24/7 customer service by phone.

One of the biggest perks of AFC home warranty plans is the generous workmanship guarantee policy. While other plans will only offer 30-day or 60-day guarantees, AFC will guarantee all repairs for the duration of your plan. That means you don’t have to worry about paying another service fee if your appliance or system needs to be repaired another time — as long as you have an active AFC warranty plan.

AFC also offers member-only discounts on Cove® Home Security systems, homeowners and auto insurance, Encompass Parts and Home Goods, pet insurance, vision and dental insurance, River Primary Care and more. The only downside is that most perks are in the form of discounts rather than complimentary add-ons. AFC is available in all U.S. states except Hawaii.

Why we chose it: American Home Shield offers three home warranty packages for every budget. Its ShieldSilver plan covers all major systems at below-market rates, making it our choice for budget-conscious homeowners.

American Home Shield (AHS) has been in business for over 50 years, making it one of the oldest home warranty companies in the country. It offers three home warranty plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold and Shield Platinum. Users can decide from three different service fee options when selecting their plan. Although a lower service fee will raise the monthly premium, AHS still offers some of the most affordable home warranty plans in San Francisco.

The ShieldSilver plan is the most affordable and covers major systems, including HVAC, electrical and plumbing. The ShieldGold plan offers additional appliance coverage, including refrigerator, microwave, oven and more. The ShieldPlatinum includes roof leaks, code violations and permit coverage.

AHS has a rating of 2.24 stars on its BBB profile based on over 11,500 customer reviews. AHS is a BBB-accredited business and has a B rating. Keep in mind that it has had over 28,000 complaints in the past three years, which is above average in the industry. AHS offers 24/7 customer service by phone.

AHS customers can enjoy special perks like discounts on services and maintenance. ShieldSilver and ShieldGold customers can get a discounted rate on yearly HVAC maintenance, while ShieldPlatinum customers can get it for free. Other perks include rekeying services, plumbing services and tech installation and support. AHS offers service in 49 states, with no availability in Alaska.

For more information, read our dedicated American Home Shield home warranty review.

Why we chose it: Liberty Home Guard has the best customer reviews of all the home warranty companies we reviewed. With an average rating of 4.59 stars on its BBB profile — based on over 1,900 customer reviews — it’s clear that users have an overwhelmingly positive experience with Liberty.

Liberty is a relatively new company with only five years in business. It offers three different plans: Systems Guard, Appliance Guard and Total Home Guard. The Systems Guard plan covers all major home systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing and more. The Appliance Guard plan covers major appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, clothes washers, clothes dryers and more. The Total Home Guard plan covers both systems and appliances. Liberty Home Guard prices are generally above-average.

Although Liberty isn’t BBB accredited, it did receive an A- rating from the BBB, which is above average for home warranty companies. Liberty offers 24/7 customer service via live chat and by phone.

Liberty customers can enjoy special perks like friend referral gift cards, discounts on new appliances and discounts on plans for additional properties. Liberty offers coverage in 48 states plus Washington D.C., only lacking coverage in Wisconsin and Washington state.

Why we chose it: Cinch offers generous perks and discounts to its home warranty customers. Its most prominent perk is a generous homeowners insurance reimbursement policy, covering up to $500 in deductible payments.

Cinch Home Services has been in business for over 43 years and offers three home warranty plans: Appliances, Built-in Systems and Complete Home. The Appliances plan covers major appliances like refrigerators, washers and dryers, while the Built-in Systems plan only covers systems like air conditioning, electrical and plumbing. The Complete Home plan covers both appliances and systems. Its plans are generally more affordable than the competition.

Cinch has below-average customer reviews on its BBB profile, with an average rating of 1.13 out of 5 stars. You can contact Cinch customer service by phone 24/7.

All Cinch customers qualify for $25 air conditioner or water filter credits and a $50 energy-efficient appliance certificate. Complete Home customers can enjoy up to $500 in homeowners insurance deductibles. Cinch is available in 48 states and doesn’t serve Alaska, Hawaii or Washington D.C. For more information, read our dedicated Cinch Home Services home warranty review.

Why we chose it: Choice Home Warranty offers availability in 49 states plus Washington, D.C., with Washington state being the only area that isn’t covered. This can be helpful if you move often and don’t want to look for a new home warranty company every time.

Choice Home Warranty has been in business for over 13 years and offers two plans: Basic and Total. Unlike other companies that offer plans specifically for appliances or systems, Choice includes coverage for both in each of its plans. The Basic plan includes coverage for essential systems and appliances, including electric, heating, plumbing, ovens and more. The Total plan also includes protection for AC, refrigerators, washers and dryers.

Choice home warranty plans are typically less affordable than the competition, although its starter plan does offer above-average coverage.

Choice generally has negative reviews, with an average customer rating of 1.05 out of 5 stars on its BBB profile. Keep in mind that Choice has had more than 10,000 complaints in the last three years, which is higher than the industry average. You can contact Choice customer service by phone 24/7.

Choice doesn’t offer any special perks to its home warranty customers. However, it does offer a free month for new clients.

Why we chose it: Select Home Warranty offers the best sign-up bonus of the companies we reviewed. New customers can get $150 off their plan of choice and two months free.

Although Select home warranty plans typically cost about the same as the market average, the sign-up bonus can make this company an affordable option.

Select offers three coverage levels: Bronze, Gold and Platinum. The Bronze package covers appliances like the refrigerator, washer, oven, etc. The Gold package covers major systems like A/C, heating, electrical, plumbing and more. The Platinum package includes coverage for everything in the Bronze and Gold packages, offering comprehensive protection for your systems and appliances.

Select has a customer rating of 1.54 out of 5 stars on its BBB profile. Although this may seem like a low rating, it is about average for the industry. Select offers 24/7 customer service by phone or email.

Select offers free roof coverage to its home warranty customers, which is generally only available as add-on coverage with other companies. Select only offers coverage in 46 states and Washington, D.C., making its coverage below average. Customers in Nevada, Washington and Wisconsin cannot sign up for a Select home warranty plan.

For more information about Select Home Warranty plans, read our dedicated Select Home Warranty review.

Why we chose it: Home Service Club offers faster-than-average service times, with service requests starting within 12 hours during business hours.

Home Service Club (HSC) has only been in business for five years, making it younger than almost every other company on this list. It only offers two home warranty plans: Standard Coverage and Comprehensive Coverage.

The Standard Coverage plan protects 18 systems and appliances, including A/C, heating, electrical, plumbing, refrigerators, washers, dryers and more. The Comprehensive Coverage plan includes coverage for 33 systems and appliances, including extra protection for gas leaks, plumbing stoppage, sump pumps, smoke detectors, alarm wiring and more. Although HSC plans can cost more than the industry average, its most basic plan includes more coverage than the industry standard.

HSC has an above-average customer review rating of 3.54 out of 5 stars based on over 190 reviews on its BBB profile. The company has only had 73 formal complaints in the past 12 months, which is below the industry average.

Customers who are just about to close their home purchase transaction can enjoy special perks with HSC. Unlike most home warranty companies, HSC offers perks like free listing coverage for sellers who purchase an HSC warranty plan before their transactions are finalized. HSC offers service across 49 states, with Washington residents excluded from HSC’s coverage.

We also chose HSC as one of the best home warranty companies in San Antonio due to its extensive coverage.

Other companies we considered

As part of our methodology and research, we evaluated many home warranty companies that did not make it onto our list. However, just because we don’t consider them the best in a specific category doesn’t mean that they can’t be the best choice for you.

First American

First American offers affordable plans and a unique upgrade for high-end appliances. It also has above-average reviews on its BBB profile, with an average rating of 2.25 out of 5 stars. Although First American can be a good choice for those with high-end appliances, it doesn’t offer any standout features that would benefit most consumers.

Fidelity National Home Warranty

Fidelity National offers home warranty plans that don’t have an age limit for appliances or systems, making it a great choice for customers in older houses. For more information about Fidelity National and its home warranty policies, read our dedicated Fidelity Home Warranty review.

First Premier Home Warranty

First Premier Home Warranty offers competitive packages, dependable contractors and positive reviews, with an average rating of 3.29 out of 5 stars on its BBB profile. For more information on First Premier home warranty plans, read our First Premier Home Warranty review.

Home warranties in San Francisco guide

When choosing a home warranty plan, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why we created the following guide to help you understand what a home warranty plan is, how it works and how to choose the best one for you.

What is a home warranty plan?

A home warranty plan covers the repair or replacement costs of your major home appliances and systems if they break down. For example, if your new HVAC system breaks down and needs replacing, your home warranty plan may cover the replacement costs. Think of it as a safety net if one of the appliances or systems you purchase turns out to be defective.

A home warranty plan is different from a homeowners insurance plan. A home warranty protects the policyholder if the device or system fails due to faulty or run-down structures. A homeowners insurance policy typically covers damage from outside sources, including natural disasters and vandalism.

How do home warranties work?

Home warranties typically charge you a monthly or annual fee for your coverage. If a covered appliance or system breaks down and needs repairs, you can contact your home warranty company to request a service. Your company will evaluate whether the damaged appliance or system is covered and schedule a technician to do an evaluation. You will have to pay a service fee depending on your plan.

Your home warranty company will select one of its in-house or in-network technicians after they approve your service request. Some companies will let you work with your own technician, although you generally need to request approval first. If you go with a company technician, they will handle the billing directly with your company. If you choose your own technician, you will have to pay them first and then submit the invoice to your home warranty company for reimbursement.

How to pick home warranty coverage

Most home warranty companies have different specialties, making it difficult to find the best one for your needs. Picking a plan with more coverage than you need can be a waste of money, and picking one without enough coverage may cause you to pay out of pocket when a system fails. This brief guide will walk you through each factor to consider when choosing the best home warranty coverage for your needs.

Decide on the type of coverage you need

You first need to decide exactly what you need coverage for. Some home warranty plans only protect appliances, some only protect systems and others protect a combination of the two. Most home warranty companies will also allow you to include add-on coverage in your plan, which can be helpful if you don’t want to pay for a bundle. For example, if you only want to protect your appliances and A/C system, the best choice for you might be a plan that covers appliances with an A/C add-on.

Fits your budget

Home warranty companies work across different price points, so you’ll want to find one that fits your budget. Keep in mind that lower monthly costs generally come with a higher service fee. If you like to plan everything in your monthly budget and avoid unexpected expenses, then going with a slightly higher monthly premium with a lower service fee may be a better choice.

Check the online reviews

Once you find a company that offers plans that fit your coverage needs and budget, you’ll want to read some online reviews. These reviews can help you see what other users have to say about a home warranty company and their experience as home warranty policyholders. We recommend using reputable sites like BBB to look for customer reviews.

Get a quote

Lastly, you’ll want to request a quote from one or more home warranty companies that meet your requirements. We recommend getting quotes from a handful of companies and inquiring about any special sign-up bonuses or limited-time offers available. You may also be able to negotiate a better deal with a company if you get a lower quote from a different provider by asking them to price match.

Home warranty companies in San Francisco FAQs

How long does a home warranty last?

Home warranties typically last for one year. Some home warranty companies offer shorter and longer plans, allowing you to purchase a policy for as little as one month and as long as five years. Purchasing a longer plan may drop the monthly cost of your home warranty, although you will generally have to pay for the full term in advance to earn the discounted rates.

How much is a home warranty?

Based on our research, home warranties in San Francisco are typically between $30 and $70 per month. Service fees generally cost between $75 and $125, and lower monthly premiums commonly result in higher service fees. Paying for a longer term upfront can drastically reduce the average monthly cost of your warranty plan.

Who pays for a home warranty — the buyer or seller?

Both the buyer and the seller can buy a home warranty plan. There are no differences in price or coverage depending on who pays for the coverage, so either can pay for the home warranty. Although some sellers will include a home warranty plan as a part of the sale, there is no established custom on who pays. If you’re buying a home and want a home warranty plan, you can try to negotiate a plan into your contract.

Are home warranties worth it?

Home warranties are generally worth it. It’s impossible to predict how many repairs your systems and appliances will need, so think about your specific circumstances, level of risk aversion and budget to determine whether a home warranty will be worth it for you.

How we chose the best home warranty companies in San Francisco

We looked at the following criteria when evaluating the best home warranty companies in San Francisco:

• Average cost of plans and service fees
• Coverage and availability
• Number and quality of plan types offered
• Customer satisfaction ratings and overall reputation
• Customer service availability
• Any special perks offered

Summary of the best home warranty companies in San Francisco for 2023

• AFC Home Club - Best technicians
• American Home Shield - Best budget-friendly plans
• Liberty Home Guard - Best reviews
• Cinch Home Services - Best perks
• Choice Home Warranty - Best coverage
• Select Home Warranty - Best sign-up bonus
• Home Service Club - Best quick coverage

This story was originally published March 10, 2023 at 7:16 AM.