4 Best Home Warranty Companies in Spanaway, WA

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Spanaway homeowners in lowering the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to replace or repair appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear. When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty policy 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 appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are garbage disposals, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, and more. Covered systems are usually plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. It's important for Spanaway homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repair claims will be approved. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing a contract, such as:

• Coverage limits: The maximum dollar amount that your warranty provider will pay for certain repairs or replacements. Check your contract's limits on repairs for things like air conditioning units, appliances, and roof leaks.
• Trade call fee: An added fee that you'll sometimes need to pay for appliance-related claims.
• Claim approval: The process a provider uses to validate that a requested repair or replacement is covered under your plan.
• Deductible: The amount you're responsible for before your warranty covers the remainder of the cost. Deductibles apply to covered repairs and may be on a per-claim or yearly basis.
• Endorsements: Additional coverage for systems like septic, well pumps, and pools, which usually comes with a fee for each add-on.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access and repair coverage.
• Contract rate: A pre-negotiated rate that your home warranty provider has worked out with contractors. This rate is typically less than what you would pay retail.

Keeping these terms and key points in mind will help you understand home warranty contracts and pricing, so you can pick the right plan and protect your most important home systems. Discuss coverage details with potential providers when you get a quote to avoid surprise fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans provide coverage for plumbing, heating, electrical, AC, and appliances. More robust coverage options also cover other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, pools, and spas. Look for a company that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific needs.

Service Fees

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, you may want to choose a company with lower service fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also remove deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.

Reputation

A home warranty provider's reputation can give you insight into things such as contractor quality, repair timeliness, approval rates, and customer service. Use review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for great service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential providers to ask how many repair specialists they have in Spanaway and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.

Added Benefits

Some home warranty companies include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, smart home device coverage, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras can provide extra value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Spanaway?

---

Benefits of a Home Warranty

Since temperatures in Spanaway can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Buying a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working unexpectedly.

Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of vetting service technicians yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Another added benefit of having a home warranty plan is that it can raise your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your home, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you have your home warranty with.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

One disadvantage of 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 through any contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.

Another thing to keep in mind is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about these things if you need more information or if this is a problem for you.