Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many, but maintaining it can get costly over time, especially if your home in Alderwood Manor is on the older side. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and guard your savings account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be challenging because of the sheer number of options available. If you're frustrated with trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty companies in Alderwood Manor.
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 Alderwood Manor. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you buy a policy 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.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a mix of appliance and system coverage. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,500 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting 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
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Alderwood Manor. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you buy a policy 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.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a mix of appliance and system coverage. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also generally about $1,500 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting 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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Alderwood Manor. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you buy a policy 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.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer a mix of appliance and system coverage. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also generally about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Alderwood Manor. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you buy a policy 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 Home Service Club has 2 plans that offer a mix of appliance and system coverage. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting 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 | $6,523 |
| Heating | $4,349 |
| Electrical | $652 |
| Toilets | $544 |
| Washer/Dryer | $870 |
| Plumbing | $652 |
| Oven | $1,740 |
| Fridge | $652 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Alderwood Manor homeowners in reducing the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. 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 plan gives homeowners a sense of security because it can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include garbage disposals, dryers, washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. It's important for Alderwood Manor homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans cover AC, heating, electrical, plumbing, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also cover other items such as spas, roof leaks, well pumps, and pools. Look for companies with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using providers with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, contractor quality, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Wider 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 Alderwood Manor to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty providers may include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, smart home device coverage, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Temperatures in Alderwood Manor can drop to the negatives in the winter, which means your heating system is most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Alderwood Manor, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they have to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty offer some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage 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.
There are also some negatives to purchasing a home warranty plan, like the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
Additionally, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements 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, around $300 to $600 a year in Alderwood Manor. Our high-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's typically less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Alderwood Manor.
A home warranty plan can help home sellers, real estate agents, investors, homebuyers, and homeowners. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty policy can cover your 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 useful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans usually offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the home seller may purchase a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Alderwood Manor is $807,917, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
