Best Home Warranty Companies in Alaska

An Alaska home warranty can protect your home’s major appliances and systems and help save you money in the long run. Since researching home warranty companies can be overwhelming, our team at House Method did the research for you and picked three of the best home warranty companies in the state.

Keep reading to learn which home warranty providers we recommend, how much a home warranty costs, and important tips for purchasing a protection plan for your home.

Alaska’s best home warranty companies

Alaska sits just northwest of the bordering Canadian province of British Columbia and territory of Yukon. To the north are the Chukchi and Beaufort seas, which are southern parts of the Arctic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean lies southwest of the state. 

While Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area, it’s the third least populous, with roughly 738,400 residents as of 2015. Half of Alaskan residents live in Anchorage. Regarding state-specific facts, the state bird is the willow ptarmigan and the state fish is the king salmon.The state flower is the wild forget-me-not, which is a perennial that’s found throughout Alaska.

Known as “The Last Frontier,” Alaska experiences an extreme climate, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. In the northernmost part of the state, even in July, the average temperature can be as low as 34°F.

According to Zillow, the median home value in Alaska is roughly $318,000. In Anchorage, the median value is slightly higher at $339,000. Despite a negative migration rate in recent years, the residential home market in Alaska has not been affected. Such a large investment in an Alaskan property is worthy of protecting, considering the serious, year-round weather conditions that can damage various parts of your home and inflict costly repairs.

Top home maintenance problems in Alaska

It’s important to understand the most common maintenance problems that arise for Alaskan homeowners and their associated costs to help you evaluate whether a home warranty is worthwhile for your property. 

1. Roof damage is common due to the floating leaves of birch trees, a large amount of fall foliage, and, of course, heavy snow. Alaskan homes are built with unique materials, like asphalt shingle roofs, that cater to the state’s climate. Debris can build up on the roof’s shingles and cause lightweight damage or serious structural issues.
2. Heating issues often arise when it’s most inconvenient, like in the dead of winter. While an inspection can be relatively cheap, an HVAC repair or replacement can cost thousands or dollars.
3. A/C issues are common, especially if you live in Fairbanks, Anchorage, or Eagle River, or you have an air conditioning unit that’s outdoors. If you don’t cover your air conditioning unit during the winter season, debris may get into it, damaging the air filter and internal components.
4. Exterior damage beyond that of the roof is common in Alaska. For example, improperly sealed decks may have root rot as a result of months of moisture build-up from snow. Alaskan homes also tend to acquire winter dirt and grime, which can chip and wear at your home’s paint or siding.
5. Washing machines are easily impacted by extreme cold. Hoses fill the tub before a cycle, and if your washer sits against a poorly insulated or outside-facing wall, the hoses and pumps may freeze, causing the water valve to break.

Who is eligible for a home warranty in Alaska?

Most home warranty companies that offer plans for Alaskan homeowners have options for all types of homes, ranging from single-family homes to duplexes and mobile homes. The best Alaskan home warranty companies won’t limit your home warranty choices by your location, so even if you own a cabin in a rural Alaskan area, there’s likely a home protection plan for you. If you own an alternative style home in Alaska, reach out to the providers you’re considering to find out whether your home type is eligible for a home warranty.

What is covered under an Alaska home warranty?

Home warranties typically vary with regard to what they cover, and most companies offer their plans in multiple tiers. The best home warranty covers major systems and appliances in your home and additional items, such as your pool, spa, and well pump. Though the names of home warranty plans will vary by provider, the tiers usually fall into these general buckets:

• Comprehensive plans cover most of the common home systems and appliances. Any excluded items are usually available as optional add-ons. These plans include heating systems, air conditioning, electrical systems, plumbing systems and fixtures like the garbage disposal, laundry machines, kitchen appliances, and ductwork. Minor kitchen appliances may not be covered.
• Mid-tier plans may exclude certain services or categories that are covered by the comprehensive plans, but they typically cover a wide variety of systems and appliances.
• Basic plans offer limited coverage to your home’s most essential items, such as the plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling systems. 

Most Alaska home warranty companies offer two to four different plans. The Home Service Club, one of our recommended Alaska home warranty providers, offers two plans, starting at just $45.95 per month. The Standard Coverage plan protects common systems and appliances, and the Comprehensive Coverage plan covers everything that the standard plan does, plus 15 additional systems or appliances. Their plans also have optional add-ons, such as a well pump, sprinkler system, and second refrigerator.

More: Compare The Home Service Club plan options

Alaska home warranty cost

The cost of an Alaska home warranty will vary based on your location, the size of your property, and the number of appliances and systems you want protected by your plan. The Home Service Club protection, for example, costs roughly $45.95 per month for Standard Coverage and $59.95 for Comprehensive Coverage.

Keep in mind that the monthly premium you pay for your home warranty plan isn’t the only cost you’re likely to incur as a result of the contract. Most home warranty companies charge a per-visit service fee, which ranges from $75–$125. Depending on the terms of your contract, you may be required to pay a deductible amount before the warranty company will provide coverage.

All home warranty companies have “caps” or limits on the cost they’re willing to pay out for every appliance or system that’s covered. For example, if you experience roofing issues as a result of heavy snowfall in Anchorage that will cost $2,000 in repairs, you’ll still be required to pay a service fee and a deductible, and, if your contract’s roofing repairs are capped at $1,000, you’ll also pay $1,000 to the repair company.

How does a home warranty work in Alaska?

Most home warranties work the same way, but it can be helpful to see an example of how a home warranty would work for a common issue that homeowners in your location face. If your heat goes out on a cold night, and it’s protected under your home warranty contract, here’s a likely scenario of what would happen:

1. File a claim—Immediately after noticing a problem, you would contact the home warranty company.
2. Choose your provider or let your company hire a technician—The home warranty company will contact a provider with which it has a business arrangement.
3. Schedule an appointment with the provider—The provider, in this case, a heating and cooling technician, will contact you to schedule an appointment time. Hopefully, they’ll be able to come within 24 hours of your initial service call.
4. The technician will inspect the problem—The technician will visit your home at the scheduled time and diagnose the problem. They may be required to contact the warranty company to report the diagnosis and see whether the claim will be covered under your warranty plan.
5. Have an open dialogue about the issue—The technician or the warranty company will communicate to you whether the repair or replacement is partially or fully covered, and the technician will complete the work with your approval.
6. Pay for services—Once the repair is complete, you’ll be required to pay a service fee for the visit, a deductible, and any out-of-pocket costs from bills and fees associated with the repair that exceeded the coverage cap for heating appliances stated in your home warranty contract.

Alaska home warranty regulations and restrictions

Each state has its own set of regulations with regard to how it oversees service contracts between homeowners and home warranty companies operating within its borders. While the below regulations and restrictions apply to Alaska-based home warranty companies, keep in mind that there are home warranty contracts from companies that don’t operate within Alaska’s borders and are thus subject to the rules and restrictions of another state.

In Alaska, the Alaska Department of Law Consumer Protection Unit has several resources through which homeowners can file claims and connect with regulating authorities. This is helpful in case you’re ever in the position where your home warranty provider is not covering a claim that you believe should be covered according to the contract. See the Alaska Consumer Protection Act for more details.

Why is a home warranty necessary?

Purchasing a home warranty makes sense because the annual cost of a home warranty is reasonable compared to the cost of replacing an appliance or essential home system, which can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

The most common issues Alaskans face in their homes are also the most expensive to repair—these include problems with heating, plumbing, and electrical systems because they’re generally affected by severe cold weather. Since the whole state faces freezing temperatures at various points throughout the year, a home warranty is a valuable investment whether you live in Anchorage, Ketchikan, Fairbanks, or Fishhook.

What to consider before buying a home warranty in Alaska

The best home warranty protection plan will relieve you of the fear of confronting a serious issue in the dead of winter with no solution. Since the home warranty market is saturated with companies that sell plans full of jargon, limitations, and hidden costs, making it confusing for Alaska residents to find quality coverage from a home warranty company that will follow through on its promises, we’ve made the process simple. 

Here’s what to consider when shopping for a plan: 

• Company reputation and third-party reviews
• Types of plan options
• Monthly or annual premium
• Service fee charges
• Deductible options
• Coverage limits for each covered service
• Exclusions that may result in denied claims

Reputation

Researching warranty companies’ reputations should be your first order of business when exploring your options. Look into Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, BBB accreditation status, and review websites like TrustPilot. If the company’s been in business for several decades, it’s usually a good sign. Endorsements and partnerships from trusted companies or organizations in the home warranty industry are also a positive indicator of reputation.

Types of plans

Be sure to explore the plans offered by the providers you’re considering. You’ll want to find a plan that nicely aligns with your expectations and preferences for home warranty coverage. The best home warranty companies in Alaska will have tiered plans and customizable term lengths and add-ons. Familiarize yourself with the coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions, and covered pre-existing conditions in each plan.

Additionally, determine which company allows you to pick coverage by the type of appliance you own. Plans with this customizable structure can make your coverage more personalized. This is a notable benefit for Alaskan homeowners seeking a warranty because the state’s climate presents such targeted issues to various parts of your home. The best warranties for Alaska homeowners will provide coverage for heating, cooling, water systems, electrical systems, and the option to select coverage for other appliances that you’ve experienced trouble with in your former or current home.

Additional costs

Don’t overlook any hidden costs in the warranty contracts. For example, some home warranty companies charge service fees per visit. Deductibles can range from $0 all the way up to $200. Take a look into whether the company requires customers to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement. Some companies will pay repair costs directly on your behalf.

Pricing

Lastly, investigate the home warranty pricing. It’s usually easy to contact a home warranty company by phone or go through their website for a free quote. If quotes and sample contracts are hard to come by, it could be a red flag. You may need to provide some basic information such as your address, your home’s square footage, and the age of your home to secure an accurate quote.

Alaska home warranty reviews

We recommend reviewing state-specific customer reviews on websites like TrustPilot and the BBB. Searching for details about customers’ experiences with providers who’ve dealt with similar issues to those you may face in your home’s lifetime can provide insight into how well the provider will protect your investment.

Our conclusion

The best home warranty for your Alaska home will have a clear contract, full coverage, few limitations, and fit nicely into your budget. As mentioned, we like that The Home Service Club doesn’t make homeowners wait more than 10 days for service to kick in and provide additional coverage for roof and utility lines. Take a look at their coverage options and be sure the limitations specific to Alaska don’t bar you from coverage for the most important systems and appliances to protect.

Use this guide as a jumping off point to start your home warranty search by contacting the providers we’ve listed for a quote, reviewing their contracts, and learning more about the coverage offered to determine the best option for your home.