Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
With frigid winters, keeping your home appliances and systems — specifically your HVAC — in working order is extremely important for homeowners in Spanaway. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and guard your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best protection for your home can be time-consuming, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the top home warranty companies in Spanaway. Keep reading 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 is the most customizable home warranty in Spanaway. When you purchase a home warranty 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
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 Spanaway area.
For more information, read our review of American Home Shield. To receive 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
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Spanaway. When you purchase a home warranty 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 home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
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 Spanaway area.
For more information, read our review of First American Home Warranty. To receive 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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Spanaway. When you purchase a home warranty 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
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 Spanaway area.
For more information, read our review of Cinch Home Services. To receive 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Spanaway. When you purchase a home warranty 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 home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
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 Spanaway area.
For more information, read our review of The Home Service Club. To receive 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 | $6,362 |
| Heating | $4,242 |
| Electrical | $636 |
| Toilets | $530 |
| Washer/Dryer | $848 |
| Plumbing | $636 |
| Oven | $1,697 |
| Fridge | $636 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Spanaway homeowners cut 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 provider then arranges 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 exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, 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 modern appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dryers, washers, refrigerators, microwaves, garbage disposals, dishwashers, and more. Included systems are usually electrical, heating, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Spanaway homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
There are a number of home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty plans can have major differences in covered items. Most plans provide protection for plumbing, AC, electrical, heating, and appliances. More inclusive options also include coverage for other items such as spas, well pumps, roof leaks, and pools. Focus on providers with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize protection for your needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, some homeowners prefer to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some companies also remove deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty provider's reputation gives insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer service. Use review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty providers have networks of contractors that they use to tackle covered repairs. Bigger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to your home promptly. Reach out to possible providers to find out how many repair professionals they have in Spanaway. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty providers provide bonuses such as smart home device protection, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Spanaway’s frigid winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can help cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Additionally, having a home warranty can save you some time by removing the need to research contractors — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the repair or replacement. Additionally, though it varies by company, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your property more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
There are also some drawbacks to buying a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that are already covered by a manufacturer's warranty.
Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those needed because of 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 plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Spanaway. Our high-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. 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 plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Spanaway.
A home warranty plan can help homeowners, home sellers, homebuyers, real estate agents, and investors. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty can cover your appliances, systems, 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 want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may buy a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Spanaway is $475,231, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
