Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Although homeownership in Mount Vernon has many perks — such as the convenience of city life — there are also not so glamorous sides. One major issue many homeowners have to deal with inevitably is replacing or repairing their home appliances and systems. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings account from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and give you some peace of mind.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be overwhelming, since there are dozens of companies to decide between. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and compiled a list of the top home warranty companies in Mount Vernon 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
In Mount Vernon, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. 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.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can 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 Mount Vernon, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has over 39 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. First American offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. 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.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are close to the $1,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of First American Home Warranty. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can 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 Mount Vernon, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has over 44 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. 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.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can 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 Mount Vernon, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. HSC offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. 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.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can 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 | $6,079 |
| Heating | $4,053 |
| Electrical | $608 |
| Toilets | $507 |
| Washer/Dryer | $811 |
| Plumbing | $608 |
| Oven | $1,621 |
| Fridge | $608 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Mount Vernon homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to make the repair 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 expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, garbage disposals, microwaves, and more. Protected systems include plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. It's important for Mount Vernon homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans cover heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive options also include protection for other items such as roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Look for providers with an assortment 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 service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per repair request filed. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for providers with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, contractor expertise, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Positive reviews and ratings suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to learn how many repair technicians they have in Mount Vernon and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Wider networks increase the chances of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Home warranty providers often offer extras such as coverage for smart home devices, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras add value beyond basic repair coverage. Additional perks can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Mount Vernon can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Purchasing a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down all of a sudden.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of having to vet contractors by yourself, 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 make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been receiving.
One disadvantage of buying a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read over the contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the affected systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Mount Vernon. 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 usually cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues with 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 an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Mount Vernon. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty policy can help homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, real estate agents, and investors. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty plan can 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 want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Usually the homeowner pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home may purchase 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. Considering that the average home value in Mount Vernon is $541,184, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
