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 Bainbridge Island, there's always that fear about whether your appliances and systems are going to need to be replaced in the next few years. 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 is saturated with a variety of providers — all with different price points — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Bainbridge Island.
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 Bainbridge Island, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has about 26 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an network of service professionals nationwide. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it 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 make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 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
In Bainbridge Island, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has about 39 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an network of service professionals nationwide. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough review of First American Home Warranty. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
In Bainbridge Island, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has about 44 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an network of service professionals nationwide. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it 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 make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, 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
In Bainbridge Island, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has about 15 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an network of service professionals nationwide. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it 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 make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, 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 | $6,798 |
| Heating | $4,532 |
| Electrical | $680 |
| Toilets | $566 |
| Washer/Dryer | $906 |
| Plumbing | $680 |
| Oven | $1,813 |
| Fridge | $680 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps cut costs for Bainbridge Island homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds 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 provides security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. Newer homes with working fixtures probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include microwaves, dryers, washers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems are typically electrical, air conditioning, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Bainbridge Island homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Moreover, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
There are multiple home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic plans typically cover AC, heating, plumbing, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Focus on companies with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, so some homeowners prefer using providers with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insight into things such as repair timeliness, approval rates, contractor quality, and customer service. Browse review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty providers have networks of contractors that they use to tackle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to your home promptly. Reach out to possible providers to find out how many technicians they have in Bainbridge Island to understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies provide extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device protection, and maintenance discounts. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Bainbridge Island’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty will cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event 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, saving you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty give you some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. A home warranty can also have value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred between owners during a home sale.
There are also some drawbacks to purchasing a home warranty policy, like the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
Plus, 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 besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Bainbridge Island can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems related to home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger insurance that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Bainbridge Island. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system damage.
A home warranty can help real estate agents, home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, and investors. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty will cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial 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.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may purchase a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Bainbridge Island is $1,162,369, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
