Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in Bellingham can be gratifying for many people, but it also comes with its fair share of difficulties. Home repairs can be an unforeseen financial burden for many homeowners. 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 considerably lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be challenging because of the sheer number of options out there. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the best home warranty companies in Bellingham.
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 offers the most customizable home warranty for Bellingham residents. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Bellingham area.
For more information, read our comprehensive 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 offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Bellingham residents. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, it 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 has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Bellingham area.
For more information, read our comprehensive 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 offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Bellingham residents. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Bellingham area.
For more information, read our comprehensive 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Bellingham residents. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, it also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Bellingham area.
For more information, read our comprehensive 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 | $6,154 |
| Heating | $4,103 |
| Electrical | $615 |
| Toilets | $513 |
| Washer/Dryer | $821 |
| Plumbing | $615 |
| Oven | $1,641 |
| Fridge | $615 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps lower expenses for Bellingham 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 submit 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 because it can help avoid costly 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 cover your home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as microwaves, dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, washers, and more. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers also offer additional coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. It's important for Bellingham homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misuse of 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:
There are several key factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty plans vary widely in what they include. Most plans cover electrical, heating, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer protection for other items such as well pumps, spas, roof leaks, and pools. Focus on companies with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, you may want to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some providers also do away with deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty provider's rating provides insight into things such as contractor quality, claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Favorable reviews and ratings indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential providers to learn the number of repair professionals they have in Bellingham and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Wider networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Home warranty providers may offer perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and coverage for smart home devices. These extras can add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Bellingham’s frigid winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner breaks down 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 save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of needing to vet contractors on your own, home warranty providers do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Plus, having a home warranty can help make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been receiving.
One main drawback of a home warranty is not everything may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different plans and choose one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another downside is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, such as those due to natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Bellingham. Our high-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 typically 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 helps protect against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Bellingham.
First-time homebuyers, home sellers, real estate agents, landlords, and homeowners are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different types of home warranties in Bellingham include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers almost all your home systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items listed in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
In general, 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 transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Bellingham, where the median value of a home is $634,081, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
