Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Lynden can be gratifying for many, but it also comes with its fair share of headaches. Home repairs can be an unexpected financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty in Lynden can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging, as there are dozens of companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and made a list of the top home warranty companies in Lynden 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 for Lynden residents. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, AHS is the perfect provider for you. 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. The coverage limits from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Lynden area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of American Home Shield. To receive 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
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Lynden residents. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, First American is the perfect provider for you. 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. The coverage limits from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the Lynden area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of First American Home Warranty. To receive 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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Lynden residents. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, Cinch is the perfect provider for you. 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. The coverage limits from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Lynden area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Cinch Home Services. To receive 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Lynden residents. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. 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, HSC is the perfect provider for you. 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. The coverage limits from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Lynden area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of The Home Service Club. To receive 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 | $6,175 |
| Heating | $4,117 |
| Electrical | $618 |
| Toilets | $515 |
| Washer/Dryer | $823 |
| Plumbing | $618 |
| Oven | $1,647 |
| Fridge | $618 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Lynden homeowners reduce the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that break down 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 gives homeowners peace of mind by helping avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dryers, garbage disposals, washers, microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. Lynden homeowners should know that most home warranty plans impose a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only help pay for repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty terms to learn before signing a contract:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also provide protection for extra things such as roof leaks, well pumps, spas, and pools. Look for providers with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to 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 companies with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, contractor expertise, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Check review sites like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Good ratings and feedback suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty businesses have networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to ask how many repair professionals they have in Lynden and get an idea for how fast your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Wider networks improve the chances of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty plans include extras such as smart home device protection, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Lynden can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Having a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working all of a sudden.
Not only can a home warranty provide some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For example, some plans can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
Home warranties also have some drawbacks. While it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a repair technician who handles the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they may want to select a contractor themselves. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty plans allow you to select a contractor.
Another pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Lynden. Our top-rated home warranty companies' 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 often 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 systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects the entire home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Lynden.
Homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, home sellers, and landlords can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Lynden 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 HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans generally provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Usually the homeowner pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the home seller may buy a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Lynden is $574,936, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
