Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Birch Bay offers homeowners some beautiful living options. However, unexpected repair and replacement costs on your home’s systems and appliances can get quite costly. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings 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 home warranty on the market can be difficult, since there are dozens of companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and compiled a list of the best home warranty companies in Birch Bay for you.
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 Birch Bay. AHS has been in business for about 26 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from AHS, you can benefit from the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Not to mention, 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’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, read our American Home Shield Review. To get 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 in Birch Bay. First American has been in business for about 39 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from First American, you can benefit from very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Not to mention, 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’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, read our First American Home Warranty Review. To get 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 in Birch Bay. Cinch has been in business for about 44 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can benefit from a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Not to mention, 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’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, read our Cinch Home Services Review. To get 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 in Birch Bay. HSC has been in business for about 15 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from HSC, you can benefit from quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, 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’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, read our The Home Service Club Review. To get 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 | $6,182 |
| Heating | $4,121 |
| Electrical | $618 |
| Toilets | $515 |
| Washer/Dryer | $824 |
| Plumbing | $618 |
| Oven | $1,648 |
| Fridge | $618 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Birch Bay homeowners lower the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly useful for those who own older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern homes with functional appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home's systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include refrigerators, dryers, garbage disposals, washers, microwaves, dishwashers, and more. Protected systems include air conditioning, heating, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Birch Bay 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 due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several key factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also provide protection for additional items such as roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Look for companies with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which is paid per repair request filed. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's reputation gives insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, claim approval rates, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Favorable reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks increase the chance of getting qualified contractors to your home swiftly. Contact possible providers to learn how many technicians they have in Birch Bay. This helps you understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, smart home device coverage, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Temperatures in Birch Bay can drop to the negatives in the winter, which means your heating system is most likely going to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Birch Bay, one benefit of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they have to be repaired or replaced.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and choosing a repair person to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Additionally, having a home warranty can help make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been benefiting from.
Home warranties also have some drawbacks. While it can give you less to worry about since the home warranty sends out a contractor who carries out the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they may want to choose a contractor themselves. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty companies allow you to choose a contractor.
Another consideration is that home warranties usually only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover home systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to animal infestations, improper maintenance, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty in Birch Bay can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, broader coverage, and higher coverage limits. This cost is often lower if you pay 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 plans cover issues related to systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of plan that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Birch Bay. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty policy can help investors, homeowners, real estate agents, homebuyers, and home sellers. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Birch Bay include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover almost all your systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty policy 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 is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Birch Bay, where the median home value is $538,517, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
