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 for many, but maintaining it can be expensive over time, especially if your home in Mountlake Terrace is on the older side. A home warranty in Mountlake Terrace can help lower your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
The home warranty market is saturated with many providers — all with different plans — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Mountlake Terrace.
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 in Mountlake Terrace. AHS has more than 26 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service technicians nationwide. 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. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Mountlake Terrace homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,500 for each covered system or appliance.
Read more by visiting our review of American Home Shield. To get 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 offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Mountlake Terrace. First American has more than 39 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service technicians nationwide. 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. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Mountlake Terrace homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage caps come out to about $1,500 for each covered system or appliance.
Read more by visiting our review of First American Home Warranty. To get 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 offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Mountlake Terrace. Cinch has more than 44 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service technicians nationwide. 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. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Mountlake Terrace homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage caps come out to about $1,000-$2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
Read more by visiting our review of Cinch Home Services. To get 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service in Mountlake Terrace. HSC has more than 15 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service technicians nationwide. 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. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Mountlake Terrace homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
Read more by visiting our review of The Home Service Club. To get 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 | $6,583 |
| Heating | $4,389 |
| Electrical | $658 |
| Toilets | $549 |
| Washer/Dryer | $878 |
| Plumbing | $658 |
| Oven | $1,755 |
| Fridge | $658 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Mountlake Terrace homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to replace or fix 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 company then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. Newer homes with working fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include garbage disposals, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, microwaves, and more. Covered systems are usually electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and roof leaks. Mountlake Terrace homeowners should know that most home warranty plans impose a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover the cost of 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. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some key home warranty terms to know before signing a contract:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty plans vary widely in what they include. Most plans provide protection for AC, plumbing, electrical, heating, and appliances. More inclusive options also include coverage for other items such as roof leaks, well pumps, spas, and pools. Look for a company that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific systems and needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which gets paid per claim you submit. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty company's track record gives insight into things such as claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Favorable reviews and ratings indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair contractors they have in Mountlake Terrace and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Larger networks raise the chances of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Home warranty providers often offer extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and coverage for smart home devices. These extras can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added perks maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Temperatures in Mountlake Terrace 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 Mountlake Terrace, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they have to be repaired or replaced.
In addition, having a home warranty can save you time by eliminating the need to research technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the necessary repair or replacement. Additionally, having a home warranty can make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been receiving.
One disadvantage of a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For instance, 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 through any contracts you’re considering carefully to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another drawback is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, such as those due to natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the impacted systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Mountlake Terrace can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
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 home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your entire home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Mountlake Terrace.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, real estate agents, and home sellers are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty plan can cover your home’s 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 plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Mountlake Terrace, where the median value of a home is $634,762, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
