Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
With frigid winters, maintaining your home systems and appliances, specifically your HVAC, is extremely important for homeowners in University Place. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and safeguard your bank account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be a challenge because of the numerous options out there. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the best home warranty companies in University Place.
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 University Place. 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. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
Read our thorough review of American Home Shield to learn more. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 University Place. 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. The 2 plans from First American are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
Read our thorough review of First American Home Warranty to learn more. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 University Place. 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. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
Read our thorough review of Cinch Home Services to learn more. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 University Place. 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. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
Read our thorough review of The Home Service Club to learn more. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $6,311 |
| Heating | $4,207 |
| Electrical | $631 |
| Toilets | $526 |
| Washer/Dryer | $841 |
| Plumbing | $631 |
| Oven | $1,683 |
| Fridge | $631 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps University Place homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file 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 go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, microwaves, garbage disposals, and more. Covered systems are usually electrical, air conditioning, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. University Place homeowners should know that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. Make sure 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 warranty plans differ significantly in terms of coverage. Most plans cover plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive options also extend protection to other items such as spas, pools, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for a provider that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which is paid per claim you submit. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for companies with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, contractor quality, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research providers. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies have networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in University Place to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty plans offer extras such as smart home device protection, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
University Place’s frigid winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty will 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, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Additionally, having a home warranty can save you time by removing the need to research technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to do the repair or replacement. A home warranty can also yield value in other ways. For instance, some policies can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
One downside of a home warranty is that there are usually 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 the contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.
In addition, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in University Place. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's usually 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 protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in University Place.
Homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, landlords, and real estate agents are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different types of home warranties in University Place include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover almost all your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, 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 companies let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home may buy 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 University Place is $629,413, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
