Dealing with a broken appliance or system can be exhausting, especially when it comes to scheduling and paying for repairs. A home warranty can help ease this pain by protecting major home systems and appliances when they break down unexpectedly and covering the cost of expensive repairs or replacements. With a Washington home warranty, you can rest assured that if your heating system fails in the middle of winter, it’ll be repaired or replaced in a timely manner—saving you from bundling up in blankets to escape the cold.
We want to make searching for a home protection plan in Washington simple. In this review, we’ll discuss the best home warranty companies in Washington and help you find the right protection plan for you and your home.
Washington’s Top 5 Home Warranty Companies
The highest-rated home warranty companies in Washington include the following:
- American Home Shield: Our Top Pick
- America’s 1st Choice Home Club: Best for Customization
- First American Home Warranty: Best Appliance Coverage
- Cinch Home Services: Best Additional Perks
- The Home Service Club: Quickest Coverage
Our team took coverage options, pricing, customer reviews, and a variety of other factors into consideration when selecting the best home warranty providers in Washington.
Summary of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Washington
How Are Home Warranties Regulated in Washington?
Washington’s Department of Revenue (DOR) oversees service contracts and home warranty regulation. Service contract companies must obtain a license from the state’s insurance commissioner. Washington statute §§ 48.110.010 to 48.110.901 highlights the jurisdiction the DOR and insurance commissioner have over service contract providers. Additionally, providers must follow the requirements included in the statute or risk losing their license.
The Office of the Insurance Commissioner provides an online complaint form that home warranty owners can submit if their provider ignores its contractual obligations.
In addition to government oversight, industry associations regulate home warranty companies. The Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC) is an industry-related organization that helps state legislators develop laws and regulations related to service contracts. According to Timothy Meenan, the managing shareholder at Meenan Regulatory and Legislative Attorneys Law Firm, the SCIC passes legislation that increases consumer protection.
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in Washington?
Based on the pricing data we pulled for this article, the average monthly premium for a Washington home warranty is $53. If you choose an annual premium, expect to pay an average of $636. Home warranty costs vary significantly from company to company due to the coverage plans they offer, the cost of local service technicians, and the square footage of your home. For example, if you own a home with numerous high-end appliances, you will typically pay more for a home warranty than someone who only needs standard appliance coverage.
There are ways you can save on a home warranty. One way is to pay an annual rather than a monthly premium, as many home warranty companies offer discounted annual rates. Another method involves choosing a company that offers flexible service call fees. Those providers offer a lower monthly premium when you choose a higher service call fee.
Factors To Consider Before Buying a Washington Home Warranty
Purchasing a home warranty shouldn’t be taken lightly. Due to the complexity of home warranties, it can be challenging to choose the right company. Here are several factors to consider:
- Additional benefits: Some companies offer membership benefits or unique coverage, such as rust damage coverage. Usually, these providers charge more for their coverage plans, so consider how much value you’ll get by purchasing from them.
- Company reputation: Do your due diligence and verify the company from which you wish to purchase a home warranty. A great place to check a company’s trustworthiness is its Better Business Bureau (BBB) page. Avoid companies that hold a C- rating or lower on the BBB.
- Coverage needs: Companies design home warranties to minimize the financial burden of appliance and system repair costs. However, a home warranty may not help if you own appliances with extended warranties.
Expert Takes on Home Warranties
We sourced experts across several industries associated with home warranties to answer homeowners’ common questions. Here is what they had to say:
- Do home warranties provide cash payouts to fix my issue? According to Kurt Walker, who is associated with Mill City Home Buyers, many home warranty companies offer a cash payout if you request it. “However, you must be aware that the cash payout might not cover the cost of replacement.”
- Should I buy a home warranty if I own home insurance? Marcus Fernandez, attorney and co-owner of Kinney, Fernandez, and Boire Law, recommends owning a home warranty and a homeowners insurance plan for full home protection. “[Home warranties] go beyond what your homeowners insurance covers by catering to the inevitable wear and tear of home systems and appliances, which typically isn’t covered by insurance,” he says.
- What should I ask before buying a home warranty? Daniel Cabrera, founder of Sell Your House Fast, says you should ask the following: “ What are the limits and exclusions when buying a home warranty?” He adds, “Homeowners should understand what specific items, parts, or situations the company excludes from the warranty.”
Who Needs a Washington Home Warranty?
Technically, you don’t need a home warranty; unlike home insurance, it is not a requirement for mortgage lenders. However, home warranties can be worthwhile for Washington homeowners, real estate agents, home sellers, and home buyers who want to protect major systems and appliances in their homes and avoid paying unexpected repair or replacement costs.
Our Conclusion
The This Old House Reviews Team recommends American Home Shield, AFC Home Club, or First American Home Warranty for comprehensive home protection. Before selecting a provider and buying a home warranty, we suggest getting quotes from all five companies so that you can determine which home warranty company fits your budget and home protection needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Find the Best Home Warranty Company in My Area?
Find in-depth reviews on the best home warranty companies for each state and major US city below.
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each provider. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts from each company, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. We then score each provider against our review standards for coverage, value, trustworthiness and transparency, availability, and customer service to arrive at a final score out of 100.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.