Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
As much as you may love homeownership in Richland, there's always that worry about whether your appliances and systems are going to need to be replaced in the next few years. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and guard your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be time-consuming, as there are so many companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and made a list of the best home warranty companies in Richland 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 Richland, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. The 3 plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Richland homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to around $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, 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 Richland, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. The 2 plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Richland homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage limits come out to around $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, 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 Richland, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. The 3 plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Richland homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to around $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, 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 Richland, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. The 2 plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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 Service Club offers 2 plans for Richland homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to around $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, 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 | $6,237 |
Heating | $4,158 |
Electrical | $624 |
Toilets | $520 |
Washer/Dryer | $832 |
Plumbing | $624 |
Oven | $1,663 |
Fridge | $624 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Richland homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid expensive 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 functioning appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are garbage disposals, washers, microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, and more. Covered systems are typically plumbing, air conditioning, heating, and electrical. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. It's important for Richland homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by the policy.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing a contract, such as:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for plumbing, electrical, heating, AC, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also cover extra things such as spas, roof leaks, pools, and well pumps. Look for providers with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to 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 service call made. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for companies with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Use 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 top-tier service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Richland to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Certain home warranty companies include extras such as protection for smart home devices, energy-efficient upgrades, and discounts on maintenance. These bonuses offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Richland can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Having a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks suddenly.
Not only can a home warranty offer some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a repair person and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Additionally, though it varies by company, some providers will let you transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
As for the disadvantages of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it’s important to read what each policy covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
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 have been damaged due to animal infestations, natural disasters, improper maintenance, etc.
A home warranty in Richland can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems related to home systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of insurance that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Richland. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty policy can help home sellers, real estate agents, investors, homeowners, and homebuyers. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in Richland include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one selling the home may buy a home warranty plan 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 Richland is $455,835, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.