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 in many people’s lives, but maintaining it can be expensive over time, especially if your home in Lake Forest Park is on the older side. A home warranty in Lake Forest Park can help bring down your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best warranty for your home can be time-consuming, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Lake Forest Park. Read on for our recommendations.
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 Lake Forest Park. AHS has around 26 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians in the country. The 3 policies that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also typically around $2,500.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 in Lake Forest Park. First American has around 39 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians in the country. The 2 policies that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. 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.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also typically around $1,500.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 in Lake Forest Park. Cinch has around 44 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians in the country. The 3 policies that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also typically around $1,000-$2,000.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 in Lake Forest Park. HSC has around 15 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians in the country. The 2 policies that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also typically around $2,000.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 | $6,927 |
| Heating | $4,618 |
| Electrical | $693 |
| Toilets | $577 |
| Washer/Dryer | $924 |
| Plumbing | $693 |
| Oven | $1,847 |
| Fridge | $693 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Lake Forest Park homeowners in reducing the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to replace or fix appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you submit 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 exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and modern appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are washers, garbage disposals, microwaves, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems are typically electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Lake Forest Park homeowners to wait 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Moreover, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements resulting from 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 a number of home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover AC, plumbing, heating, electrical, and appliances. More extensive plans may also provide protection for extra things such as well pumps, pools, roof leaks, and spas. Look for a company that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific systems and needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a company with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also do away with deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for quality service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential companies to ask how many repair specialists they have in Lake Forest Park and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Wider networks improve the chance of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty companies provide bonuses such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Temperatures in Lake Forest Park 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 Lake Forest Park, 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.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet technicians on your own, home warranty companies do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. A home warranty can also have value in other ways. For example, some policies can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
There are also some drawbacks to purchasing a home warranty plan, like the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about it if you aren’t sure or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty in Lake Forest Park can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranties cover problems related to systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger plan that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Lake Forest Park. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty can help homebuyers, home sellers, investors, real estate agents, and homeowners. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in Lake Forest Park include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover many of your home systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Typically, the homeowner is responsible for paying 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 Lake Forest Park, where the median home value is $950,078, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
