Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Owning a home can have many benefits, but it can also come with some negatives like maintenance. The older your house’s systems and appliances are, the more likely it is that you'll benefit from a home warranty. A home warranty in Tacoma can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging, as there are lots of companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and compiled a list of the best home warranty companies in Tacoma 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 Tacoma, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. The 3 policies that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also typically around $2,500.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our review of American Home Shield.
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 Tacoma, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has over 39 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. The 2 policies that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also typically around $1,500.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. To read more, visit our review of First American Home Warranty.
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 Tacoma, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has over 44 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. The 3 policies that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: 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 typically around $1,000-$2,000.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our review of Cinch Home Services.
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 Tacoma, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has over 15 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. The 2 policies that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also typically around $2,000.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $6,476 |
| Heating | $4,318 |
| Electrical | $648 |
| Toilets | $540 |
| Washer/Dryer | $864 |
| Plumbing | $648 |
| Oven | $1,727 |
| Fridge | $648 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Tacoma homeowners in lowering the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to replace or fix appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you file 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 delivers security for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern homes with functional fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include refrigerators, garbage disposals, microwaves, dryers, dishwashers, washers, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. Tacoma homeowners should know that most home warranty plans impose a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only address repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are multiple home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
There are several key factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic plans typically cover plumbing, electrical, AC, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover well pumps, roof leaks, pools, and spas. Look for companies with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, so some homeowners prefer using companies with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty company's reputation can give you insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer satisfaction. Browse review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the likelihood of getting skilled contractors to your home swiftly. Contact possible providers to find out how many technicians they have in Tacoma. This helps you understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies offer bonuses such as smart home device protection, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Tacoma can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Purchasing a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down suddenly.
In addition to saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified repair person to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair issues you may have. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage 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 company you purchased your home warranty through.
There are also some downsides to purchasing a home warranty policy, like the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that are already covered by a manufacturer's warranty.
Another consideration is that home warranties typically only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They often won’t cover systems or appliances that have been damaged due to animal infestations, improper maintenance, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Tacoma. 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. Additionally, it's typically less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues with home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger plan that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Tacoma. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
Homebuyers, landlords, homeowners, real estate agents, and home sellers are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different kinds of home warranties in Tacoma include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers many of your home systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans usually last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may purchase a home warranty 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 Tacoma is $470,122, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
