Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
As much as you may love owning a home in Washington, there's always that worry about whether your appliances and systems are going to make it through the next few years. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget from unexpected 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.
Finding the best warranty for your home can be time-consuming, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the top home warranty companies in Washington. Keep reading for our home warranty recommendations.
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
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty in Washington. Liberty has more than 6 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 home warranty plans that Liberty offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. Liberty has established itself as a company with a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. It also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $75.
For more information, read our review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.
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
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty in Washington. Choice has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 2 home warranty plans that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
For more information, read our review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.
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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty in Washington. Select has more than 11 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 home warranty plans that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
For more information, read our review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953.
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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty in Washington. AHS has more than 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 home warranty plans that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For more information, read our review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Washington. Cinch has more than 44 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 home warranty plans that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For more information, read our review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505.
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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Washington. HSC has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 2 home warranty plans that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For more information, read our review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443.
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 | $5,737 |
| Heating | $3,825 |
| Electrical | $574 |
| Toilets | $478 |
| Washer/Dryer | $765 |
| Plumbing | $574 |
| Oven | $1,530 |
| Fridge | $574 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps cut costs for Washington homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit 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 goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and functioning appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include garbage disposals, refrigerators, dryers, microwaves, dishwashers, washers, and more. Included systems are typically plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Washington homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some essential home warranty terms to know before signing a contract:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic policies typically cover plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover well pumps, roof leaks, pools, and spas. Look for companies with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your needs.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $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 look for companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may eliminate 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, timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive reviews and ratings indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks raise the likelihood of getting skilled contractors to your home promptly. Reach out to possible providers to learn how many repair professionals they have in Washington to understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.
Certain home warranty providers offer extras such as energy-efficient upgrades, protection for smart home devices, and discounts on maintenance. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks can enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Home warranties are an inexpensive way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Washington reaching an average high of 61℃F, you may find that some appliances, such as your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can considerably decrease out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
Not only does a home warranty offer some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a repair person and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. In addition, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
As for the negatives of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it’s important to understand what each policy covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the affected systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Washington can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also reduce your up-front costs when you agree to 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 home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects the entire 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 should you need a new washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Washington.
A home warranty plan can help home sellers, investors, homeowners, homebuyers, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty plan can cover your home’s appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
In general, the homeowner is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Washington, where the median home value is $193,486, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
