Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Although homeownership in Washington has a lot of benefits — such as living in a vibrant city — there are also not so glamorous sides. One major issue many homeowners have to deal with at some point is replacing or repairing their home systems and appliances. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
The home warranty market is saturated with a variety of providers — all with different price points — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Washington.
Very highly rated among customer service reviews
Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Extensive list of 20+ add-on coverages
Easy claims process
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
In Washington, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, Liberty is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Washington homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage caps come out to around $3,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read more by visiting our comprehensive review of Liberty Home Guard.
Appliance Guard
Systems Guard
Total Home Guard
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 Washington, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, Choice is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Washington homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage caps come out to around $3,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting our comprehensive 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 Washington, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, Select is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Washington homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting our comprehensive 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 Washington, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, AHS is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Washington homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have 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 around $2,500 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our comprehensive 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 Washington, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, First American is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it 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 home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Washington homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage caps come out to around $1,500 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting our comprehensive 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 Washington, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, Cinch is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Washington homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have 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 around $1,000-$2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our comprehensive 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 Washington, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, HSC is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Washington homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have 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 around $2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting our comprehensive 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 | $6,677 |
| Heating | $4,451 |
| Electrical | $668 |
| Toilets | $556 |
| Washer/Dryer | $890 |
| Plumbing | $668 |
| Oven | $1,780 |
| Fridge | $668 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps cut costs for Washington homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear. Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind and can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as garbage disposals, washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, dryers, and more. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty companies also offer add-on coverage for roof leaks, septic systems, locksmiths, and central vacuums. Washington homeowners should know that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for heating, plumbing, electrical, AC, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also cover other things such as pools, roof leaks, spas, and well pumps. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you tailor protection to your home's needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some providers also remove deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty provider's reputation can give you insight into things such as approval rates, contractor quality, repair timeliness, and customer service. Browse review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Washington to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty providers provide extras such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device protection. These perks can add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Washington’s relatively mild winters and hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty provide some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another added benefit of having a home warranty plan is that it can increase your home’s real estate value. If you ever decide to sell your home, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you have your home warranty with.
Home warranties also have some cons. Although it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a repair person who takes care of the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would rather select a contractor themselves. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty plans let you choose a contractor.
Also, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they were damaged due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Washington can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease 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 kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Washington.
Homebuyers, landlords, real estate agents, home sellers, and homeowners can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Washington is $618,651, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
