Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Owning a home in Washington has tons of great advantages, but there are some negatives. Hot summers can cause problems in a home and lead to wear and tear on systems like your HVAC. A home warranty plan can help protect you by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
The home warranty market has a lot 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
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty for Washington residents. 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. Liberty offers 3 plans for you to choose from.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage limits come out to around $3,000 per covered appliance or system.
For more information on this provider, read our full review of Liberty Home Guard. To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 for Washington residents. 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. Choice offers 2 plans for you to choose from.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to around $3,000 per covered appliance or system.
For more information on this provider, read our full review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 for Washington residents. 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. Select offers 3 plans for you to choose from.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
For more information on this provider, read our full review of Select Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 for Washington residents. 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. AHS offers 3 plans for you to choose from.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,500 per covered appliance or system.
For more information on this provider, read our full review of American Home Shield. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839.
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
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Washington residents. 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. First American offers 2 plans for you to choose from.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage limits come out to around $1,500 per covered appliance or system.
For more information on this provider, read our full review of First American Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164.
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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Washington residents. 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. Cinch offers 3 plans for you to choose from.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to around $1,000-$2,000 per covered appliance or system.
For more information on this provider, read our full review of Cinch Home Services. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 for Washington residents. 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. HSC offers 2 plans for you to choose from.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
For more information on this provider, read our full review of The Home Service Club. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $5,813 |
Heating | $3,875 |
Electrical | $581 |
Toilets | $484 |
Washer/Dryer | $775 |
Plumbing | $581 |
Oven | $1,550 |
Fridge | $581 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps lower expenses for Washington homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair or swap out 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 provider then finds a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners because it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include microwaves, dryers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. It's important for Washington homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repair claims will be approved. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for AC, heating, electrical, plumbing, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also include extra things such as well pumps, roof leaks, pools, and spas. Look for a provider that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which is paid per claim you submit. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for companies with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, contractor expertise, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Favorable reviews and ratings suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks increase the likelihood 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 happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device coverage, and reduced maintenance fees. These extras can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Home warranty policies are an affordable way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Washington reaching an average high of 71℃F, you may find that certain appliances, such as your air conditioning system, get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly decrease out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system stop working.
Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you time by getting rid of the need to research technicians — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the necessary repair or replacement. In addition, though it varies by company, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One of the major drawbacks of home warranties is not everything may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different policies and purchase one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Additionally, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs 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 policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Washington. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can lower your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's usually cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Washington.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, real estate agents, and home sellers are all eligible for 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 plan can cover your 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're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who pays 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 will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Washington, where the median home value is $220,766, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.