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 get expensive over time, especially if your home in Shelton is on the older side. A home warranty in Shelton can help reduce 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 difficult, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the top home warranty companies in Shelton. Read on for our top provider 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 offers the most customizable home warranty in Shelton. The 3 plans from AHS are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a plan from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield 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 about $2,500.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our American Home Shield Review.
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 Shelton. The 2 plans from First American are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a plan from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty 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 about $1,500.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our First American Home Warranty Review.
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 Shelton. The 3 plans from Cinch are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a plan from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services 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 about $1,000-$2,000.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Cinch Home Services Review.
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 Shelton. The 2 plans from HSC are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a plan from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club 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 about $2,000.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our The Home Service Club Review.
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 | $6,000 |
| Heating | $4,000 |
| Electrical | $600 |
| Toilets | $500 |
| Washer/Dryer | $800 |
| Plumbing | $600 |
| Oven | $1,600 |
| Fridge | $600 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Shelton homeowners lower the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working 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 fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for owners 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 protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include dishwashers, microwaves, washers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, dryers, and more. Covered systems are typically electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. Shelton homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or improper use of a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
There are a number of home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
There are several key factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic plans typically provide protection for plumbing, heating, electrical, AC, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover pools, well pumps, roof leaks, and spas. Look for a provider that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, you may want to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some providers also remove deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty provider's reputation can give you insight into things such as repair timeliness, approval rates, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Use review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for exceptional service.
Home warranty businesses keep networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to ask how many repair technicians they have in Shelton and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Bigger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty providers provide bonuses such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Temperatures in Shelton can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are likely to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Shelton, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
In addition to saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the headache of trying to find a qualified technician to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair issues you may come across. Another added benefit of having a home warranty policy is that it can increase your home’s real estate value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the provider you have your home warranty with.
There are also some negatives to getting a home warranty plan, like the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
Another consideration is that home warranties typically 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 natural disasters, animal infestations, improper maintenance, etc.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Shelton. Our top-rated home warranty providers' 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. In addition, it's usually cheaper 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. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Shelton.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, landlords, and homeowners are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty will cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans usually last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may purchase 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. Considering that the average home value in Shelton is $412,052, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
