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5 best home warranty companies in Sacramento, California

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

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You might be considering a home warranty to safeguard important home systems and appliances. For a monthly fee, these policies cover repair and replacement costs when items such as AC units and refrigerators break down from normal wear and tear.

Many crucial home components start having issues before hitting the 10 to 15-year mark, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. HVAC systems typically operate for just seven to 25 years. Water heaters normally last six to 12 years, and most appliances today fail after about 20 years.

If your Sacramento house contains any aging furnaces, dishwashers or other appliances, you'll likely face a surprise breakdown. These top home warranty providers offer robust coverage at reasonable prices.

With the scorching summer heat in California, air conditioner breakdowns in Sacramento are that much more taxing for homeowners. A home warranty from one of the national providers listed below will give you a cost-effective path to the future repairs you might need.

Our Top Pick
Provider logo
4.5
Our Rating
  • Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Holds high customer ratings
  • Offers customization with 38 add-ons
Explore Plans
Provider logo
4.4
Our Rating
  • Covers rust and corrosion damage
  • Offers comprehensive coverage limits
  • Provides flexible service fees
Limited Time Offer: 50% Off
Explore Plans
Provider logo
3.8
Our Rating
  • Charges low premiums
  • Includes roof-leak coverage
  • Offers solid HVAC coverage
Explore Plans

Find the best home warranty for you in Sacramento

Here's our list of the best home warranty companies in Sacramento:

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

Average monthly costs: $22.00 - $80.00

2-10 offers flexible service fees and perks like an appliance color-match program. Through its "Even If" guarantee, it also refunds service fees if repairing or replacing a covered item isn't possible.

What we like

  • Offers a $25,000 annual coverage cap
  • Pairs plans with a plan-length workmanship guarantee
  • Offers unique perks such as color matching appliance replacements

What we don't like

  • Charges a monthly processing fee if you choose monthly premiums
  • Excludes washer and dryer coverage from most plans
Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard

4.6/5

Average monthly costs: $49.99 - $59.99

Liberty Home Guard offers plans with a 60-day workmanship guarantee on completed repairs. Compared to other providers in this piece, it also provides the largest number of coverage add-ons – 38 in total.

What we like

  • Holds high ratings among customer service reviews
  • Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Offers an extensive list of 40+ add-on coverages
  • Provides an easy claims process

What we don't like

  • Lacks transparency on service call fee pricing
  • Excludes coverage for known or unknown pre-existing conditions
American Home Shield

American Home Shield

4.4/5

Average monthly costs: $29.99 - $89.99

Founded in 1971, American Home Shield was one of the country's first home warranty companies. Today, it offers three coverage plans and six supplementary add-ons.

What we like

  • Offers generous coverage caps
  • Allows customers to build their own plans
  • Provides the option to choose the service fee you want to pay

What we don't like

  • Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
  • Offers limited add-on options
First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty

4.2/5

Average monthly costs: $47.00 - $87.00

First American is known for its comprehensive appliance coverage caps. With an Essential or Premium plan that has the First American Advantage upgrade, you could also get coverage for miscellaneous components, including appliance knobs and dials.

What we like

  • Allows you to choose your service call fee
  • Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
  • Accepts 24/7 service calls
  • Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair

What we don't like

  • Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
  • Charges higher for coverage compared to other providers
Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty

3.9/5

Average monthly costs: $44.42 - $47.75

Select Home Warranty plans have low premiums, and each one includes coverage for roof leaks.

What we like

  • Provides low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
  • Includes two extra months of coverage in annual signup
  • Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option

What we don't like

  • Has a $75 cancellation fee
  • Low coverage caps

Cost of a home warranty in Sacramento

The average cost of a home warranty in Sacramento is around the same as the national average, ranging from $40.91 to $77.05 per month. If you prefer to pay an annual premium, expect to pay between $563.62 and $927.43 per year. To calculate national averages, we requested hundreds of quotes using 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

Home warranties provide coverage for various major systems and appliances, but they're not a substitute for homeowners insurance. Below, we'll summarize what coverage a warranty typically includes and excludes.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

  • Refrigerators
  • Clothes dryers
  • Built-in microwaves
  • Dishwashers
  • Cooktops
  • Washing machines

The first category of items a home warranty covers is kitchen and living appliances. This includes the following: Major systems form the second category of covered items. The specific definition of what a "major system" is will vary between different plans. However, most include the following:

  • HVAC
  • Electrical
  • Water heater
  • Plumbing
  • Central vacuum

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

As with many other service contracts, home warranties won't cover certain appliances or components. These are called exclusions. Generally, home warranties don't cover item breakdowns caused by damage outside of normal wear and tear. For example, if your air conditioner malfunctions due to a dirty air filter, home warranty companies probably won't cover the repairs since air filter replacement falls under routine maintenance. Home warranties also don't cover rust or corrosion damage, improper system or appliance installation, cosmetic damage, preexisting conditions, hazardous waste and acts of nature.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Sacramento

Before you purchase a home warranty plan, discuss these crucial questions with each provider you're considering.

What items will my policy cover?

Before asking a home warranty company for a quote, write down the specific systems and appliances that you need covered. Then, confirm the company has plans meeting your needs. Some companies separate appliance and system coverage into different plans. Most home warranty companies also sell optional add-ons for things like sump pumps and well pumps. Evaluate what add-ons you might need and how much they'll add to the home warranty cost.

How long is my home warranty good for?

A typical home warranty plan is effective for one year from the coverage effective date, which is 30 days after the initial sign-up date. The 30-day waiting period acts as a way to deter customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. A home warranty may last longer than 12 months if you purchase a multiyear plan.

What contractors do you work with?

Ask potential home warranty companies about their network of local service contractors. A contractor must have the proper local and state licensing to access the company's network. If there are no in-network contractors near you, the warranty company may let you choose your own. You can verify a contractor's license by searching the California Contractors State Licensing Board database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Knowing more about your warranty company's claims process boosts your chances of getting an approval. Most companies accept claims through the web or via a 24/7 phone line. Once you file, the company will aim to reply within one to two days. Filing outside normal business hours may lead to processing delays. Once the provider receives your claim, someone will review it and connect you with an in-network service provider. The contractor will book an appointment with you, diagnose the problem, and then request final approval from the home warranty provider before starting repairs.

Can I transfer my policy to the next owner of my home?

Most home warranty companies allow you to transfer your policy to a new person who moves into the home the policy covers. Generally, transferring a home warranty policy to a new homeowner is complimentary, although some companies levy a transfer fee to offset administrative costs. Home warranty companies may also sell separate, special coverage plans that you can easily transfer to prospective homebuyers. Sellers can purchase these plans to boost their home's appeal in a competitive market.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before settling on a home warranty, we strongly recommend reading a sample contract. Learning more about the company's terms and conditions will help you make an informed decision. It'll also help you be a better advocate for yourself if you need to file a claim. Search for these key terms and clauses in your research:

  • Service call fee: Each time you file a claim, the home warranty or repair company will assess a service call fee. These fees usually run from $75 to $125.
  • Cancellation: Each home warranty company has a cancellation policy in its terms and conditions. Many companies will refund your annual premium in full if you cancel within the first 30 days of enrollment.
  • Workmanship guarantee: Most workmanship guarantees last for 30 days from a warranty repair, but some companies offer longer guarantee periods. If you have more issues with an appliance that an in-network technician recently attempted to repair for you, the home warranty company will not assess an extra service call fee for a new claim.
  • Exclusions: Pay extra attention to the exclusions a provider lists in its fine print. For example, most home warranty sample contracts outline component exclusions for each covered item.
  • Coverage limit: Each home warranty has a coverage limit that sets how much a company will cover per individual claim. Warranty contracts could also have annual coverage limits.

Facts about Sacramento

Average High in July
97°F
Sacramento
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
39°F
Sacramento
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
78%
Sacramento
69%
National Average
Our Top Pick
Provider logo
4.5
Our Rating
  • Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Holds high customer ratings
  • Offers customization with 38 add-ons
Explore Plans
Provider logo
4.4
Our Rating
  • Covers rust and corrosion damage
  • Offers comprehensive coverage limits
  • Provides flexible service fees
Limited Time Offer: 50% Off
Explore Plans
Provider logo
3.8
Our Rating
  • Charges low premiums
  • Includes roof-leak coverage
  • Offers solid HVAC coverage
Explore Plans

Our methodology for selecting home warranty providers

We review national home warranty providers against our full home warranty methodology. We score warranty providers based on coverage options and limits, price, brand reputation, customer service, extra features and availability.

Contact us at feedback@homefront.usatoday.com if you have questions or feedback on this article

Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top

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