Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Although homeownership in Tumwater has a great number of benefits — such as being surrounded by nature — there are also downsides. One major hassle many homeowners have to deal with at some point is updating or repairing their home appliances and systems. A home warranty in Tumwater can help lower your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best protection for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Tumwater. 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
In Tumwater, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in business for about 26 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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. The 3 policies that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To read more, visit our detailed 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
In Tumwater, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in business for about 39 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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. The 2 policies that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are close to the $1,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
To read more, visit our detailed 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
In Tumwater, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in business for about 44 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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. The 3 policies that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To read more, visit our detailed 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
In Tumwater, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in business for about 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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 2 policies that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To read more, visit our detailed 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 | $6,245 |
| Heating | $4,163 |
| Electrical | $624 |
| Toilets | $520 |
| Washer/Dryer | $833 |
| Plumbing | $624 |
| Oven | $1,665 |
| Fridge | $624 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Tumwater homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and functioning appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, microwaves, washers, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty companies also offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. Tumwater homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements needed due to 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. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
There are several home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans include protection for plumbing, electrical, heating, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also include protection for other items such as pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Focus on companies with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your home's needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which gets paid per claim you submit. 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 if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Tumwater to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies include perks such as smart home device coverage, energy efficiency upgrades, and reduced maintenance fees. These extras can provide extra value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Tumwater’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, saving you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Not only does a home warranty offer some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. A home warranty can also have value in other ways. For instance, some policies can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.
Home warranties also have some cons. While it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a contractor who takes care of the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they may want to choose their own contractor. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty companies allow you to choose a contractor.
Another thing to bear in mind is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about these things if you need more information or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty in Tumwater can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also reduce 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 plans cover issues related to systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of insurance that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Tumwater. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty can help investors, real estate agents, homeowners, homebuyers, and home sellers. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in Tumwater include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers many of your systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
In general, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Tumwater, where the median value of a home is $480,953, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
