Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Homeownership in Vashon has lots of benefits, but it also comes with its difficulties. Your home’s appliances and systems will inevitably need repairs, and this could mean a burdensome expense. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and guard your savings account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best protection for your home can be difficult, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Vashon. Read on for our home warranty 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 Vashon, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has around 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service technicians in the country. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. When you buy a policy 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.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,500.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 Vashon, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has around 39 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service technicians in the country. First American offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. When you buy a policy 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.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also typically about $1,500.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 Vashon, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has around 44 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service technicians in the country. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. When you buy a policy 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.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also typically about $1,000-$2,000.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 Vashon, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has around 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service technicians in the country. HSC offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. When you buy a policy 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 Service Club has 2 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,000.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 | $6,319 |
| Heating | $4,213 |
| Electrical | $632 |
| Toilets | $527 |
| Washer/Dryer | $843 |
| Plumbing | $632 |
| Oven | $1,685 |
| Fridge | $632 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Vashon homeowners in lowering the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to replace or repair appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, 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 cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides security for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. Newer builds with functional fixtures probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect many household systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, garbage disposals, dryers, washers, and others. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, heating, and plumbing. Various home warranty plans offer extra coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Vashon homeowners should know that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, 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 considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic plans typically include AC, plumbing, heating, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover well pumps, pools, spas, and roof leaks. Look for companies with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
You'll pay a standard service fee of around $60 to $100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may seek out companies advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may eliminate deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, contractor quality, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair contractors they have in Vashon and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Bigger networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty companies include extras such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device protection. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Vashon can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Purchasing a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working suddenly.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and selecting a contractor to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Plus, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will let you transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
As for the negatives of home warranties, coverage varies by company, so it’s important to review what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.
Another thing to consider is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about this if you aren’t sure or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty in Vashon can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also lower your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
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 systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. 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 Vashon.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, home sellers, and landlords are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different kinds of home warranties in Vashon include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover almost all your home systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the plan.
Home warranty plans typically last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Usually the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one selling the home 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. Since the average home value in Vashon is $890,407, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
