Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
There are lots of perks of owning a home, but as your Yakima home ages, you may need to update your appliances and systems. A home warranty in Yakima can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
The home warranty market has a variety of providers — all with different offerings — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Yakima.
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 for Yakima residents. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for about 26 years. AHS has 3 plans for you to choose from. 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.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Yakima homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Yakima area.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our American Home Shield Review.
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 for Yakima residents. First American has been in the home warranty industry for about 39 years. First American has 2 plans for you to choose from. 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.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Yakima homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Yakima area.
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 First American Home Warranty Review.
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 for Yakima residents. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for about 44 years. Cinch has 3 plans for you to choose from. 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.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Yakima homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Yakima area.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our Cinch Home Services Review.
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 for Yakima residents. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for about 15 years. HSC has 2 plans for you to choose from. 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 Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Yakima homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Yakima area.
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 The Home Service Club Review.
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 | $5,887 |
| Heating | $3,925 |
| Electrical | $589 |
| Toilets | $491 |
| Washer/Dryer | $785 |
| Plumbing | $589 |
| Oven | $1,570 |
| Fridge | $589 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Yakima homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial protection to fix or replace appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind because it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of 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.
Home warranties help protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include microwaves, garbage disposals, washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. It's important for Yakima homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans include protection for AC, electrical, plumbing, heating, and appliances. More robust coverage options also include protection for other items such as roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which is paid per service call made. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to your home swiftly. Reach out to possible providers to ask how many technicians they have in Yakima to understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, smart home device coverage, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Since temperatures in Yakima can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Getting a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks unexpectedly.
Not only can a home warranty give you some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. In addition, though it varies by company, some providers will let you transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your property more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
One of the major drawbacks of a home warranty is not every home system and appliance you care about may be covered. It’s important to research the different policies and select one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those due to natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the affected systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Yakima can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have a lower service fee, broader coverage, and higher coverage limits. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers 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 covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. 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 washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Yakima.
A home warranty can help real estate agents, investors, homeowners, home sellers, and homebuyers. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Yakima include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers your home systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items mentioned in the policy.
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Usually, the homeowner is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Yakima, where the median home value is $341,354, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
