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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
San Francisco offers homeowners some beautiful housing options. However, unexpected repair and replacement costs on your home’s appliances and systems can get quite pricey. A home warranty in San Francisco can help lower your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear.
The home warranty market is filled with a lot of providers — all with different coverage — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in San Francisco.
Over 10 years of experience
24/7 customer service team
Home inspections aren’t required
90-day repair guarantee
Plans aren’t customizable
Customers can’t choose their own contractor
Not available in washington
In San Francisco, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. The 2 plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage caps come out to about $3,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our detailed review of Choice Home Warranty.
Basic Plan
Total Plan
Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Two months of free coverage
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
90-day repair guarantee
Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps
In San Francisco, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. The 3 plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our detailed review of Select Home Warranty.
Bronze Care Plan
Gold Care Plan
Platinum Care Plan
The oldest and most trusted company in the industry
Allows customers to build their own plans
Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay
Broad coverage on up to 33 appliances and systems
Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
Doesn’t provide coverage in alaska
In San Francisco, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. The 3 plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,500 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our detailed review of American Home Shield.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
Established company with a bbb accreditation
Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
24/7 service calls available
Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair
Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
According to some customer reviews, the technical jargon in contracts is confusing
In San Francisco, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. The 2 plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. It also has a unique add-on alongside common ones called the First Class Upgrade, which covers fees associated with the use of lifting equipment, up to $250 per local building permits, haul away services, and appliances and systems that have been insufficiently installed or modified.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage caps come out to about $1,500 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. To read more, visit our detailed review of First American Home Warranty.
Basic Plan
Premier Plan
Offers home insurance deductible of $500
Extra long 180-day workmanship guarantee
Offers free cancellation in the first 30 days
Charges high service fees of $75-$150
Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
Isn’t available in hawaii or alaska
In San Francisco, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. The 3 plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage caps come out to about $1,000-$2,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our detailed review of Cinch Home Services.
Appliances Plan
Built-in Systems Plan
Complete Home Plan
Policy starts in ten days
24/7 customer service support
Generous coverage caps on important systems and appliances
30-labor guarantee and 90-day parts guarantee
Offers utility and home service outside line coverage
Higher service fee of $95
Not accredited by the better business bureau (bbb)
Only 2 plan options
In San Francisco, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. The 2 plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our detailed review of The Home Service Club.
Standard Coverage Plan
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on home warranty companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
| Home Appliance | Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Air Conditioner | $8,110 |
| Heating | $5,407 |
| Electrical | $811 |
| Toilets | $676 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,081 |
| Plumbing | $811 |
| Oven | $2,163 |
| Fridge | $811 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps lower expenses for San Francisco homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear. Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as washers, microwaves, dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dishwashers, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty companies also offer add-on coverage for locksmiths, roof leaks, septic systems, and central vacuums. San Francisco should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic policies typically provide protection for electrical, heating, AC, plumbing, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover pools, spas, well pumps, and roof leaks. Look for providers with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
You'll pay a standard service fee of around $60 to $100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may look for companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may eliminate deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, claim approval rates, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about providers. Favorable feedback and ratings suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the chance of getting qualified contractors to your home swiftly. Reach out to possible providers to find out how many contractors they have in San Francisco. This helps you understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.
Certain home warranty providers include perks such as energy-efficient upgrades, protection for smart home devices, and discounts on maintenance. These offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks help improve your home and maximize your home warranty.
Home warranty plans are a great way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in San Francisco reaching an average high of 55℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your air conditioning system, get a lot of use. A home warranty can remarkably lower out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system stop working.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of vetting contractors yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. A home warranty can also offer value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred to another owner when you sell your home.
One major drawback of a home warranty is not everything may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different plans and sign up for one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your claims being rejected, so it’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in San Francisco can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, broader coverage, and higher coverage limits. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranties cover problems with systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger insurance that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in San Francisco. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system damage.
First-time homebuyers, home sellers, landlords, real estate agents, and homeowners can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in San Francisco include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover almost all your systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Generally, the homeowner is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In San Francisco, where the median value of a home is $1,271,322, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
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