Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Although homeownership in San Rafael has a great number of benefits — such as the convenience of city life — there are also downsides. One major issue many homeowners have to deal with at some point is replacing or repairing their home appliances and systems. A home warranty in San Rafael can help lower your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging, since there are dozens of companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and put together a list of the top home warranty companies in San Rafael for you.
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 Rafael, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. When you buy a home warranty from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 plans from Choice are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also about $3,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 Rafael, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. When you buy a home warranty from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The 3 plans from Select are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also about $2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 Rafael, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. When you buy a home warranty from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also about $2,500 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 Rafael, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. When you buy a home warranty from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty 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. The 2 plans from First American are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also about $1,500 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 Rafael, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. When you buy a home warranty from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 plans from Cinch are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 Rafael, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. When you buy a home warranty from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The 2 plans from HSC are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also about $2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 assists San Rafael homeowners in reducing the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and functioning appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include refrigerators, washers, dishwashers, dryers, microwaves, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for locksmiths, central vacuums, septic systems, and even roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require San Rafael homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
There are several home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer coverage on other items such as pools, roof leaks, spas, and well pumps. Look for companies with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your needs.
You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may seek out providers advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may waive deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's track record gives you insight into things such as claim approval rates, contractor quality, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Positive reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to learn how many repair technicians they have in San Rafael and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. More extensive networks raise the chances of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty plans provide extras such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks can add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in San Rafael can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Getting a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working unexpectedly.
A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and choosing a contractor to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Another good thing about having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty to the new owners. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your house sell faster.
There are also some drawbacks to getting a home warranty plan, like the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another thing to consider is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about this if you need more information or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty in San Rafael can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also reduce your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in San Rafael.
A home warranty policy can help real estate agents, homebuyers, homeowners, investors, and home sellers. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different home warranties in San Rafael include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers many of your home systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items mentioned in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the home seller may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in San Rafael is $1,325,140, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.